auto-

¹ American  

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

   autograph, autodidact.

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auto- ² American  

1. a combining form representing automobile in compound words.

   autocade.

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auto- ³ 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 ⁴ 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. 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 auto-¹

< Greek, combining form of autós self

Origin of auto-²

auto

Origin of auto⁴

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; by shortening

Example Sentences

In the auto sector, China has more than 100 EV makers all fighting to survive.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The problem now is that the rate of closures is too slow,” said David Zhang, an independent auto analyst and secretary-general for the International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association in China.

From The Wall Street Journal

Robert Bosch, founder of the eponymous auto parts giant, trained in the U.S. in the late-19th century.

From The Wall Street Journal

While Mexico's manufacturing exports grew 9.8 percent last year, its auto exports were down by 4.2 percent.

From Barron's

The pact will help European auto exports reach the Indian market of 4 million passenger cars, which was previously protected by too-steep tariffs of up to 110%, the association says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• car
• passenger car
• vehicle