definitions

auto

[ aw-toh ]
/ ˈɔ toʊ /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR auto ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural au·tos.

automobile.

adjective

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

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RELATED WORDS

car, vehicle, wheels

Nearby words

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

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-

1

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-

1
< Greek, combining form of autós self

Definition for auto (4 of 5)

auto-

2

a combining form representing automobile in compound words: autocade.

Origin of auto-

2
see origin at auto

Definition for auto (5 of 5)

auto-

3

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

British Dictionary definitions for auto (1 of 2)

auto

/ (ˈɔːtəʊ) /

noun plural -tos US and Canadian informal

  1. short for automobile
  2. (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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.