Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

autism

/ˈoːtɪzəm/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.97 in modern English

Syllables: aut-ism
IPA: /ˈoːtɪzəm/

8

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

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.

Uncountable

noun

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.

Dated; Uncountable

noun

A diagnosis involving a pathological tendency to engage in self-centered fantasy thinking, historically considered a symptom of insanity or schizophrenia.

Obsolete; Uncountable

noun

Abnormal and unhealthy focus or persistence, stereotypically coupled with low self-awareness and unhealthy hatred of opposition or criticism.

Offensive; Uncountable

noun

Deliberate misspelling of autumn.

Humorous; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism."
"weaponized autism"
"it's finally autism"

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”).

Origin

Source language: Ancient Greek

Word Breakdown

Root: αὐτός

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈoːtɪzəm/
British English: /ˈɔːtɪzəm/

Usage

Inflected Forms

autisms (plural)

Derived Forms

AuDHD autismal autismland autismlike autismogenic autist autistic pawtism tautism 'tism

Phrases

atypical autism autism creature autism mom autism spectrum autism spectrum condition autism spectrum disorder autistic spectrum autistic spectrum disorder

Frequently Paired Words

pervasive developmental disorder PDD-NOS disability handicap mutism selective mutism special education schizothymia

Synonyms

autism spectrum disorder asd autism spectrum condition

Questions

How do you pronounce autism?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈoːtɪzəm/.
What does autism mean?: 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.
Where does autism come from?: It is traced to Ancient Greek.

How to pronounce autism

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “autism”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈoːtɪzəm/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “autism”.
Repeat and practice — Say “autism” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.