autotelic

[ aw-tuh-tel-ik ]
/ ˌɔ təˈtɛl ɪk /

adjective Philosophy.

(of an entity or event) having within itself the purpose of its existence or happening.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT
Compare heterotelic.

Origin of autotelic

First recorded in 1900–05; auto-1 + telic

OTHER WORDS FROM autotelic

au·to·tel·ism, noun

Words nearby autotelic

autosome, autospore, autostability, autostrada, autosuggestion, autotelic, autotimer, autotomize, autotomy, autotopagnosia, autotoxaemia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020