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
ˌȯ-tō-dī-ˈdak-tik How to pronounce autodidact (audio)
-də-
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 The irony is that Bradway runs a company built on the opposite of the autodidact. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 June 2026 Our archives are such a roadmap for actually being an autodidact and doing that. — Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Oct. 2024 Tanton was an autodidact and an irrepressible writer of memorandums; his personal library contained several thousand books. — Rachel Morris, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025 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

Rhymes for autodidact

See All Rhymes for autodidact

Browse Nearby Words

autodial
autodidact
autodidactic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Autodidact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autodidact. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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