automotive
Americanadjective
-
pertaining to the design, operation, manufacture, or sale of automobiles.
automotive parts.
-
propelled by a self-contained motor, engine, or the like.
noun
adjective
-
relating to motor vehicles
-
self-propelling
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of automotive
Explanation
Anything automotive has to do with automobiles — in other words, cars. The automotive industry, for example, is all about making and selling cars. If the windshield wipers fall off your car, get new ones at an automotive store. The word automotive comes from the Greek auto for “self” and motive for “moving," which makes sense for what the word may have meant in the late 1800s — a self-propelled helicopter-like machine for one person. Don’t bother looking for one of those, though, automotive now just refers to car stuff. If you're interested in automotive technology, you might become a mechanic. Or maybe you could figure out how to make one of those little helicopters.
Vocabulary lists containing automotive
To Thine Own Self Be True: Auto
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: auto-
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Automakers are expected to redesign 9% of their lineup on average across the 2026 through 2028 model years—well below the 20-year average of 14%, according to a report by veteran automotive analyst John Murphy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Model providers could find another $900 billion through the physical AI economy, especially by using AI-powered robotics in sectors including automotive, electronics, semiconductors and aerospace and defense, the consultants said.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
That included Venu Srinivasan, a scion of an automotive industry dynasty, who along with Noel Tata represents the Tata Trusts on the Tata Sons board, but nevertheless voted for Chandrasekaran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
As for ON Semiconductor, he noted that the company is capitalizing on improving demand for the chips specific to the industrial and automotive sectors.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
“The big new trend that is coming to the U.S. is ‘subluxury’ cars,” said David Thomas, editor of Autoblog, an online automotive guide.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
