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

plural autistics

: a person with autism or autism spectrum disorder

Examples of autistic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Doug Passon, one of the nation's leading attorneys representing autistic defendants, believes the defining characteristic of autism in the legal system is vulnerability. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Researchers have conducted one of the most comprehensive studies, published recently in Nature Mental Health, on how the autistic brain processes faces. — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Noun

Children have been making their Barbies autistic for as long as autistic kids have been playing with them. — Sarah Kurchak, Time, 15 Jan. 2026

One of our children was high-functioning autistic. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025

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

1968, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing autistic

• autistic disorder
• autistic savant
• autistic spectrum disorder

Rhymes for autistic

• artistic
• ballistic
• cladistic
• heuristic
• holistic
• linguistic
• logistic
• monistic
• patristic
• sadistic
• simplistic
• sophistic

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