autodidact

noun

au·​to·​di·​dact ˌȯ-tō-ˈdī-ˌdakt How to pronounce autodidact (audio) -dī-ˈdakt How to pronounce autodidact (audio)
-də-ˈdakt
: a self-taught person
was an autodidact who read voraciously
autodidactic adjective

Examples of autodidact in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is a fine way for an autodidact to acquire a fashion education. Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 Our archives are such a roadmap for actually being an autodidact and doing that. Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2024 May didn’t graduate from high school but was an autodidact. Dwight Garner, New York Times, 27 May 2024 Frederick Douglass became a towering intellect and journalist through his own efforts — an autodidact. Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for autodidact 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin & Greek; New Latin autodidactus "self-taught," borrowed from Greek autodídaktos, from auto- auto- + didaktós "taught, learned" — more at didactic

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autodidact was in 1784

Dictionary Entries Near autodidact

Cite this Entry

“Autodidact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autodidact. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!