How to pronounce autonomous
Say it like aw-TAH-nuh-mus. Autonomous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAH).
- aw
- TAH
- nuh
- mus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Autonomous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- awKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- TAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- musKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of autonomous
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: aw-TON-uh-mus.
What does autonomous mean?
- (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces“an autonomous judiciary”“a sovereign state”
- existing as an independent entity“the partitioning of India created two separate and autonomous jute economies”
- (of persons) free from external control and constraint in e.g. action and judgment
Where does autonomous come from?
From autonomy + -ous.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with autonomous
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of autonomous.
Questions about saying autonomous
How do you pronounce autonomous?
Say aw-TAH-nuh-mus. The American pronunciation is /ɔˈtɑnəməs/. In British English it is /ɔːˈtɒnəməs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in autonomous?
Autonomous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TAH). Broken into parts: aw · TAH · nuh · mus.
Is autonomous pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ɔːˈtɒnəməs/ (aw-TON-uh-mus).