autodidactic

[ aw-toh-dahy-dak-tik ]

adjective

1. relating to or being a person who learns or has learned a subject without the benefit of a teacher or formal education; self-taught:

   I am self-motivated, self-sufficient, and autodidactic—all products of a childhood on an Alaskan homestead.

Other Words From

• au·to·di·dac·ti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of autodidactic¹

autodidact ( def ) + -ic

Example Sentences

But the autodidactic nature of their businesses does not necessarily mean lower price points.

From New York Times

His is the classic story of the driven, autodidactic collector who becomes an expert and a scholar in his own right.

From New York Times

The most crackling, fateful encounter in that popcorn machine of future legend was with an enigma named Elaine May, an autodidactic rebel who arrived on campus like a dust devil.

From New York Times

He seldom raised his voice — which was surprisingly patrician — and rarely cut short his autodidactic monologues.

From Washington Post

When it is, he’s designed a sake-inclination flow chart for some autodidactic adventuring, about which he said one evening, “I can’t help it — I’m a nerd.”

From Seattle Times