'autohypnotically' originates from the Greek prefix 'auto-' (from 'autos' meaning 'self') combined with the Greek-derived noun 'hypnosis' (from 'hypnos' meaning 'sleep'), plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ic' and the adverbial suffix '-ally' (from Latin/Old French '-alis').

'autohypnotically' developed from the noun 'autohypnosis' (formed in the 19th century), which led to the adjective 'autohypnotic', and finally to the adverb 'autohypnotically' by adding the adverbial suffix.

Initially it referred to matters 'pertaining to self-induced sleep or trance', and over time it has come to mean 'in a manner of inducing hypnosis in oneself' (used to describe actions or states brought about by self-hypnosis).