auto

[ aw-toh ]

/ ˈɔ toʊ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR auto ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural au·tos.

adjective

of or relating to automobiles: an auto salesman; auto detailing.

Nearby words

authors, authorship, autism, autism spectrum disorder, autistic-spectrum disorder, auto, auto court, auto lift, auto racing, auto-, auto-da-fé

Origin of auto

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; by shortening

Definition for auto (2 of 5)

auto.

automatic.

automobile.

automotive.

Definition for auto (3 of 5)

auto-

a combining form meaning “self,” “same,” “spontaneous,” used in the formation of compound words: autograph, autodidact.

Also especially before a vowel, aut-.

Origin of auto-

< Greek, combining form of autós self

Definition for auto (4 of 5)

auto-

a combining form representing automobile in compound words: autocade.

Origin of auto-

see origin at auto

Definition for auto (5 of 5)

auto-

a combining form representing automatic in compound words: autoalarm; autofeed; autofocus. Sometimes also taken as an adjective: auto enlarger; auto stop control; auto dialer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for auto

I know that Detroit is losing market share in auto sales, but how did they let the Motown sound slip out of their hands?
The Best Albums of 2014|Ted Gioia|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A small fire in an auto parts store created explosions that quickly got out of control.
Raging Protesters Set Ferguson on Fire|Justin Glawe|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Auto factories tend to sprawl horizontally over huge lots, and have flat roofs.
Charging Up|The Daily Beast|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As for the paint job, that would be handled by teenagers in the auto shop class at one of the high schools.
Why Does My Kids’ Elementary School Need a Tank?|Andy Hinds|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Among the others are massage schools, paralegal programs and auto repair academies.
‘Degree Mills’ Are Exploiting Veterans and Making Millions Off the GI Bill|Aaron Glantz|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Yes, if the auto went through here somebody must have seen it," said Tom.
The Rover Boys in the Air|Edward Stratemeyer
With a whizz and a buzz the auto darted across the store, bringing up with a bang against the low part of the opposite counter.
Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Keeping Store|Laura Lee Hope
Theyve phoned over that theyll send an auto for us and well go back in style.
Bobby Blake on a Plantation|Frank A. Warner
The Auto das Fadas loses itself in a long series of verses addressed to the Court.
Four Plays of Gil Vicente|Gil Vicente
Mr. Beckley had reached the lake only a day or two before the Auto Boys set up their camp there.
The Auto Boys' Mystery|James A. Braden

British Dictionary definitions for auto (1 of 2)

auto

/ (ˈɔːtəʊ) /

noun plural -tos US and Canadian informal

short for automobile
(as modifier)auto parts

Indian informal short for autorickshaw

British Dictionary definitions for auto (2 of 2)

auto-

sometimes before a vowel aut-

combining form

self; same; of or by the same oneautobiography

acting from or occurring within; self-causedautohypnosis

self-propelling; automaticautomobile

Word Origin for auto-

from Greek autos self

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for auto

auto-

pref.

Self; same:autogamy.

Science definitions for auto

auto-

A prefix meaning oneself, as in autoimmune, producing antibodies or immunity against oneself. It also means by itself, automatic, as in autonomic, governing by itself.