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auto

1 American  
[aw-toh] / ˈɔ toʊ /

noun

plural

autos

  1. automobile.

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.
auto- 3 American  

  1. a combining form representing automobile in compound words.

    autocade.
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.
auto. 5 American  

abbreviation

  1. automatic.

  2. automobile.

  3. automotive.

auto 1 British  
/ ˈɔːtəʊ /

noun

    1. short for automobile

    2. ( as modifier )

      auto parts

  2. informal short for autorickshaw

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Chinese automakers broadly recorded a sharp drop in sales in February as demand in the world’s largest auto industry waned during the Lunar New Year month.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sentiment about the private-credit industry began shifting last year when allegations of credit fraud surfaced in the collapse of two auto companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Semiconductor shipments—accounting for over a quarter of total exports—more than doubled from a year earlier to a record $25.16 billion in February, outweighing declines in auto, petrochemical and steel shipments, the data showed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Things have been tough for Stellantis lately, with the auto maker struggling through high dealer inventories.

From Barron's

He cited “weak” first quarter guidance and headwinds from the auto sector, among other things.

From Barron's

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.