atelic

A1T1E1L1I1C3

adjective

Presenting an action or event’s significance as being the process or experience instead of the end accomplishment or goal.

Opposite
telic
OriginEnglish telic ← Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) ← Proto-Hellenic *ə- →
Scrabble 8
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Meanings

adjectiveatelic (not comparable)
  1. not comparablePresenting an action or event’s significance as being the process or experience instead of the end accomplishment or goal.
  2. not comparableNot tending nor directed toward a goal or specific end.
  3. not comparablegrammarThat expresses lacking an end, resolution, or finite purpose.
  4. not comparablehuman sciencesThat expresses the imperfective aspect.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
telic
Also see
irresultative

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*né
  2. Proto-Indo-European*n̥-
  3. Proto-Hellenic*ə-
  4. Ancient Greekἀ- (a-)
  5. Englisha-
  6. Englishtelic
  7. Englishatelic

From a- + telic.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Polish ateliczny
  • atelicznythat expresses lacking an end, resolution, or finite purpose

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Altice
Cite this entry
APA

atelic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/atelic

MLA

“atelic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/atelic. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “atelic,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/atelic.

Source: atelic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.