auto

¹ American  

[aw-toh] / ˈɔ toʊ /

noun

plural

autos

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

auto

Example Sentences

Citi economists think government trade-in subsidies and travel during the Lunar New Year holiday could lend support to retail spending, while weak auto and phone sales could weigh.

From The Wall Street Journal

Military production can create jobs for laid-off auto workers and employ engineers who might otherwise design vehicles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Rising gas prices also threaten to hit the U.S. auto industry, which has partially pulled back from electric-vehicle production.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors have been spooked by a series of events, including the bankruptcies of subprime auto lender Tricolor and auto-parts supplier First Brands last September, even though their loans were primarily originated by banks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Canadian manufacturing activity began the year on weak footing, with sales in January falling to the lowest level in eight months thanks in part to an extended winter shutdown at several auto plants.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• car
• passenger car
• vehicle