autistic

1 of 2

adjective

au·​tis·​tic ȯ-ˈti-stik 

: of, relating to, or marked by autism or autism spectrum disorder

autistic behavior

autistic children

autistically

ȯ-ˈti-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

autistic

2 of 2

noun

: an individual affected with autism or autism spectrum disorder

Examples of autistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Park Eun-bin stars as Woo Young-woo, an autistic attorney hired by a major law firm in Seoul. —Megan Vick, EW.com, 30 May 2024

In theory, having more than one regular autistic character around could have granted the writers more freedom to dig into the diversity of the autistic experience. —Sarah Kurchak, TIME, 23 May 2024

Noun

Shaun and Charlie butt heads frequently in the early episodes, but there are also a few moments where Charlie is able to understand her fellow autistic and help him out. —Sarah Kurchak, TIME, 23 May 2024

There have been too many stories of autistics violently arrested and even killed by law enforcement. —Marie Myung-Ok Lee, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

aut(ism) + -istic, after German autistisch

Note: See note at autism.

Noun

derivative of autistic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1965, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing autistic

• autistic disorder
• autistic savant
• autistic spectrum disorder

Medical Definition

autistic

1 of 2 adjective

au·​tis·​tic ȯ-ˈtis-tik 

: of, relating to, or marked by autism or autism spectrum disorder

the autistic community

autistic children

autistic

2 of 2 noun

: a person with autism or autism spectrum disorder