autodidact
nounUK /ˌɔː.təʊˈdaɪ.dækt/
US /ˌɑː.toʊˈdaɪ.dækt/
An autodidact is a person who teaches themselves things without going to a school or having a teacher.
The famous inventor was an autodidact who learned physics by reading books at the library.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A person who has learned a subject or skill entirely on their own, without formal instruction.
As an autodidact in programming, she built her first app by watching free online tutorials.
3. Someone who prefers to figure things out alone rather than follow a class or course.
He's a true autodidact—he taught himself three languages just from podcasts and books.
4. A learner whose knowledge comes from personal curiosity and practice rather than a school curriculum.
The museum guide was an autodidact who had studied ancient history on her own for years.