autonomously

[aw-ton-uh-muhs-lee]

adverb

1. in a way that is self-governing or free of outside control; independently.

   The ideal candidate will be able to work autonomously and without supervision.

2. with little or no human control or intervention.

   We have developed a service robot that operates autonomously, in concert with a network of devices in its environment.

3. Biology.

   1. as an independent organism.

      Viruses, on the boundary between living and nonliving, cannot autonomously reproduce but require the biochemistry and structure of a host cell.

   2. naturally or spontaneously, without cultivation.

      They organized a work day to get rid of the plants growing wildly, autonomously, and unwantedly all around the building.

Other Word Forms

• nonautonomously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of autonomously¹

autonomous ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

In June, Tesla launched an invitation-only version of its Robotaxi rideshare app in Austin, Texas, which provides rides in an autonomously driven Model Y, with a safety driver in the passenger seat.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So, Russia and Urkaine have adapted by using drones controlled by fibre optic cables, or using drones that can navigate autonomously, or fly along pre-programmed routes.

Read more on BBC

Most eVTOLs startups in the news—like Joby Aviation—are developing autonomously controlled air taxis, with or without backup pilots on board.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They have argued that their AI products act autonomously — and so there is no legal case to blame the developers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Agentic AI can autonomously set and achieve goals, such as suggesting products and learning consumer preferences without a direct command or prompt.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• freely 
• individually 
• separately