autotelic
|au-to-tel-ic|
/ˌɔːtəˈtɛlɪk/
ends in itself
Etymology
'autotelic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'autotelēs', where 'auto-' meant 'self' and 'telos' meant 'end' or 'purpose'.
'autotelic' derived from Greek 'autotelēs' and was adopted into English usage (late 19th to early 20th century), later popularized in psychology by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's work on flow and the 'autotelic personality.'
Initially it meant 'having its own end' in a literal sense; over time it has come to be used especially in psychology to mean 'motivated by intrinsic satisfaction' or 'done for its own sake.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having an end or purpose in itself; done for its own sake (intrinsically motivated).
She described the hobby as autotelic: she practiced it for its own sake rather than for rewards.
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Adjective 2
describing a person or personality that tends to find meaning and motivation within activities themselves rather than from external goals.
An autotelic person often engages in tasks because they are inherently rewarding, not because of outside incentives.
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Last updated: 2025/11/29 03:00