autotelic

adjective

au·​to·​te·​lic ˌȯ-tō-ˈte-lik  -ˈtē- 

: having a purpose in and not apart from itself

Examples of autotelic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most importantly, flow is what researchers call an autotelic experience. —Richard Huskey, The Conversation, 4 Jan. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Greek autotelḗs "having an end in itself, having one's own authority, final, unconditional" (from auto- auto- + -telēs, adjective derivative of télos "fulfillment, completion, end") + -ic entry 1 — more at telos

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above