engine
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for engine, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A machine that converts fuel or energy into motion or force, especially the part of a vehicle that powers it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use engine
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French engin ("skill, cleverness, war machine"), from Latin ingenium ("innate talent, natural ability") — the same root that gives us "ingenious".
Full origin of engine →Frequently asked questions
What does “engine” mean?
The word “engine” means a machine that converts fuel or energy into motion or force, especially the part of a vehicle that powers it. In plain terms, the part of a machine that makes it go, or more loosely, anything (software, a person, an industry) that drives something forward.
How do you pronounce “engine”?
“Engine” is pronounced EHND-zhihn (/ˈɛnd͡ʒɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “engine” in a sentence?
Here is “engine” used in a sentence: “The mechanic spent all afternoon trying to figure out why the engine wouldn't start.”
What is another word for “engine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “engine” include motor and locomotive.
What part of speech is “engine”?
“Engine” is a noun.
Where does the word “engine” come from?
The word “engine” comes from Latin. From Old French engin ("skill, cleverness, war machine"), from Latin ingenium ("innate talent, natural ability") — the same root that gives us "ingenious".
Is “engine” a common word?
“Engine” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “engine” have?
“Engine” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a machine that converts fuel or energy into motion or force, especially the part of a vehicle that powers it.
What is the difference between an engine and a motor?
The words overlap, but 'engine' usually means a machine that burns fuel to create motion, like a car's gasoline engine. 'Motor' more often means one powered by electricity, like an electric motor. That said, people use them loosely, and 'motor' has long been a casual word for a car engine too.
What are the main types of engine?
Common types include the internal combustion engine that burns gasoline or diesel, the jet engine that powers aircraft, the steam engine that drove early trains, and the electric motor. They differ in their fuel or energy source, but all share the same job of turning energy into useful movement or force.
What is an example of an engine?
The engine under a car's hood is the most familiar example, converting fuel into the motion that turns the wheels. Other examples include the jet engines on an aircraft, a lawnmower's small gasoline engine, and the powerful diesel engines that drive ships and locomotives across long distances.