adj
autistic
aw-TIHS-tihk
adj
1
Having autism, a developmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behaviour.
"Their son was diagnosed as autistic at age three."
noun
1
A person who has autism.
"The support group is run by and for autistics."
How to Use Autistic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to autism, or a person who has it.
When to use it
The clinical sense is neutral and widely used; a slang sense meaning "socially awkward" or "obsessive" exists online but is considered offensive and best avoided.
Word Forms
more autistic comparative, autistics plural, most autistic superlative
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Etymology
From autism plus the adjective-forming suffix -istic. The clinical sense was first used in 1913 and refined by psychiatrist Leo Kanner in 1943.
Antonyms
Rhymes for autistic
holistic
sadistic
artistic
logistic
statistic
realistic
ballistic
linguistic
futuristic
optimistic
altruistic
simplistic
See all rhymes for autistic →