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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

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

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

According to JD Power, auto loans with terms of 72 months represented 40.5% of car sales in March, while those 84 months or longer were 12.8%.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

At the Beijing auto show last week, some Chinese companies expressed a desire to come to the U.S. at some point, if the political environment became more receptive to their entry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

According to JD Power, auto loans with terms of 72 months represented 40.5% of car sales in March, while those 84 months or longer were 12.8%.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Although first-quarter earnings were generally strong and the auto maker hiked its full-year guidance, sales fell due to lower deliveries.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Even though his part-time job at the auto parts store has him leaving before seven, he’s still on time.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden

Related Words

• car
• passenger car
• vehicle