Which is the correct spelling of a word meaning 'self-rule'?

Correct — A. Autonomy is Greek auto- (self) plus nomos (law): self-law, hence self-rule.

The ending is -nomy, with an o and a single m, the same ending as astronomy, economy and taxonomy.

Check each option against that: Autonomy keeps auto- and -nomy intact → option (a).

Why the others are wrong

• (b)
  Autonamy — Autonamy swaps the o of -nomy for an a. The vowel is unstressed and sounds like either, which is why this spelling must come from the root, not the ear.
• (c)
  Autonommy — Autonommy doubles the m. The ending is -nomy with one m, as in astronomy and economy.
• (d)
  Autonaumy — Autonaumy inserts an au the word does not contain. The au in autonomy sits at the start, in auto-, meaning self.

Spelling items reward knowing the parts of a word rather than its sound.

Autonomy splits into auto- (self, as in autobiography and automatic) and -nomy, the ending that denotes an area of knowledge or the laws governing it, as in astronomy and economy.

With both parts fixed, every misspelling on offer shows at a glance. The adjective is autonomous, self-governing.

Key facts

• Autonomy comes from Greek auto- (self) and nomos (law).
• The ending -nomy has an o and a single m, as in astronomy and economy.
• Autonomous is the adjective: self-governing.

Common traps

• Spelling by ear. The unstressed vowel in -nomy can sound like an a, which produces Autonamy.
• Adding a second m. The ending is -nomy with a single m.

No directly related past PYQ was found.