What is the Difference Between Autonomous and Independent

The main difference between autonomous and independent is that autonomous refers to self-governance while independent refers to not being dependent on anyone.

We use the two adjectives autonomous and independent to describe both individuals and countries. In fact, these two adjectives stem from the nouns, autonomy and independence, respectively. Furthermore, they are very closely related, and sometimes we use these two adjectives together.

Key Areas Covered

1. What Does Autonomous Mean
– Definition, Features
2. What Does Independent Mean
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Autonomous and Independent
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Autonomous, Independent

What Does Autonomous Mean

In brief, autonomous is the adjective form of the noun autonomy and refers to an individual’s or a region’s ability to act on one’s own. Autonomy can refer to either an individual’s ability to live according to his own values or interests or a country’s or region’s ability to govern itself. In fact, autonomy comes from the Greek words meaning self-governance or self-legislation.

When considering an individual’s autonomy, it is understood to describe the ability to live one’s life according to one’s own reasons and motives and not be manipulated or forced by external forces. In simple words, this refers to living on one’s own terms and becoming one’s own person. Moreover, to be autonomous, one needs to have a sense of self-respect and self-worth. One also needs a good understanding of one’s own skills and attitudes.

Let’s look at some example sentences containing the adjective autonomous to understand its meaning more clearly.

The school board is legally autonomous.

Each tribe under its chief was autonomous.

In a patriarchal society, men fear autonomous women.

What Does Independent Mean

The adjective independent means free from outside control and not subject to someone else’s authority, be it an individual, a group of people, or an organization. We use the adjective independence to talk about both individuals and countries/nations. When referring to an individual, independence usually means taking one’s own decisions and not depending on another for livelihood. When referring to a country, independence means a country’s ability to self-govern, especially in the context of colonization and nation-states.

Let’s look at some example sentences containing the adjective independent to understand its meaning more clearly.

The incident was investigated by an independent medical committee.

Sri Lanka became independent in 1948.

Ms Foster was a woman of independent means.

She is smart, efficient, strong, and independent.

Relationship Between Autonomous and Independent

These two adjectives are very closely related, and sometimes we even use these two adjectives together.
Both basically refer to being free of external influences and the ability to take one’s own decisions.

Difference Between Autonomous and Independent

Definition

Autonomous is the adjective form of the noun autonomy and refers to an individual’s or a region’s ability to act on one’s own or govern oneself, while the adjective independent refers to being free from outside control and not subject to someone else’s authority.

Nature

Moreover, autonomous refers to self-governance, while independent refers to not being dependent on anyone.

Individuals

When referring to individuals, autonomy means the ability to live one’s life according to one’s own term, whereas independence can also refer to taking one’s own decisions and not depending on another for livelihood.

Conclusion

Autonomous is the adjective form of the noun autonomy and refers to an individual’s or a region’s ability to act on one’s own or govern oneself. The adjective independent, on the other hand, refers to being free from outside control and not subject to someone else’s authority. The main difference between autonomous and independent is that autonomous refers to self-governance while independent refers to not being dependent on anyone.