autotelic

[ aw-tuh-tel-ik ]
/ ˌɔ təˈtɛl ɪk /

adjective Philosophy.

(of an entity or event) having within itself the purpose of its existence or happening.
Compare heterotelic.

Origin of autotelic

First recorded in 1900–05; auto-1 + telic

OTHER WORDS FROM autotelic

au·to·tel·ism, noun