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autotelic

American  
[aw-tuh-tel-ik] / ˌɔ təˈtɛl ɪk /

adjective

Philosophy.

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

Other Word Forms

  • autotelism noun

Etymology

Origin of autotelic

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The bonsai’s uselessly autotelic function can seem uncomfortably close to that of the novel.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 15, 2015

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.