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• auto
  auto

  noun

  automobile.
• auto-
  auto-

  a combining form meaning “self,” “same,” “spontaneous,” used in the formation of compound words.
• auto.
  auto.

  abbreviation

  automatic.

auto

¹ American  

[aw-toh] / ˈɔ toʊ /

noun

autos plural

1. automobile.

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adjective

1. of or relating to automobiles.

   an auto salesman; auto detailing.

auto- ² American  

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

   autograph, autodidact.

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auto- ³ American  

1. a combining form representing automobile in compound words.

   autocade.

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auto- ⁴ American  

1. a combining form representing automatic in compound words: autoalarm; autofeed; autofocus . Sometimes also taken as an adjective.

   auto enlarger; auto stop control; auto dialer.

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auto. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. automatic.

2. automobile.

3. automotive.

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auto ¹ British  

/ ˈɔːtəʊ /

noun

1. 1. short for automobile

   2. ( as modifier )

      auto parts

2. informal short for autorickshaw

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auto- ² British  

combining form

1. self; same; of or by the same one

   autobiography

2. acting from or occurring within; self-caused

   autohypnosis

3. self-propelling; automatic

   automobile

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Etymology

Origin of auto¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; by shortening

Origin of auto-²

< Greek, combining form of autós self

Origin of auto-³

see origin at auto

Explanation

An auto is a car. If you drive your auto too fast, you might get a speeding ticket. The word auto is an informal, shortened form of automobile. You're most likely to hear the word auto when someone's talking about insurance, auto parts, or the auto industry. Automobile was originally a French word, formed from the Greek autos, or "self," and the French mobile, "moving."

Example Sentences

Khan says that the auto dealership group is contending with a weak retail environment, expensive vehicles and consumers who are pulling back, especially on big ticket items.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

"The biggest mistake that the developed world is making is believing that the transition is only about electric cars," says Shanghai-based auto analyst Bill Russo.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Stocks such as Nikola and Rivian Automotive were briefly worth more than traditional auto makers such as General Motors and Ford Motor.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

From the 1940s to the 1960s, L.A. also had a thriving auto industry that was second only to Detroit, producing half a million cars at its peak.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Not far outside of Bangor I stopped at an auto court and rented a room.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• car
• passenger car
• vehicle