noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
ôʹtĭzəm
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈɔːtɪzəm/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
cot-caught-merger:/ˈɑtɪzəm/note that the /t/ is never flapped
US:cot-caughtRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Scotland:/ˈɔtɪzəm/
CMU ARPABET:AO1 T IH2 Z AH0 M
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
Autism spectrum disorder, a condition characterized by impairment in social communication and interaction, as well as a need or strong preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing differences, focused interests, or repetitive behaviours. This includes classic autism as well as other, previously distinct disorders such as Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Classic autism, a pervasive neurological condition that is observable in early childhood and persists throughout the lifespan, characterised by atypical communication patterns (e.g., differences in body language or eye contact), delayed language development, and sensory processing sensitivities.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A diagnosis involving a pathological tendency to engage in self-centered fantasy thinking, historically considered a symptom of insanity or schizophrenia.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
Abnormal and unhealthy focus or persistence, stereotypically coupled with low self-awareness and unhealthy hatred of opposition or criticism.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Internet, offensive, uncountable, usually
Qualifier: derogatory or self-deprecatory
Examples
weaponized autism
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Deliberate misspelling of autumn.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Internet, alt-of, deliberate, humorous, misspelling, uncountable, usually
Examples
it's finally autism
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
(psychiatry) an abnormal absorption with the self; marked by communication disorders and short attention span and inability to treat others as people
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: syndrome
Narrower terms: infantile autism
History
Etymology
Borrowed from German Autismus, coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, first usage dated to 1907 attributed by Carl Jung as an alternative of his for "auto-erotism", although Bleuler himself differentiates the terms in his book Dementia Praecox, first published 1911. From Ancient Greek αὐτός (autós, “self”) + -ισμός (-ismós, “-ism”).
Across languages
Translations
85 source translations are retained for this English entry.
