noun
Common
auto
AW-toh
Auto (noun) means (informal, especially US) A car; short for automobile. Example: “He works at the auto shop down the street.”
noun
1
(informal, especially US) A car; short for automobile.
"He works at the auto shop down the street."
"My uncle sells used autos from a small lot outside town."
"The auto was parked crooked across two spaces."
How to use auto
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, casual word for "car," mostly used in compounds like "auto shop" or "auto insurance."
UK vs US
More common in American English than British English, where "car" is preferred on its own.
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Word forms
- Plural
- autos
- Third person singular
- autos
- Past tense
- autoed
Fill the gap
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He works at the _____ shop down the street.
Etymology
A shortened form of "automobile," ultimately from Greek autós ("self").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for auto
See all rhymes for auto →Frequently asked questions
What does “auto” mean?
The word “auto” means (informal, especially US) A car; short for automobile. In plain terms, a short, casual word for "car," mostly used in compounds like "auto shop" or "auto insurance.".
How do you pronounce “auto”?
“Auto” is pronounced AW-toh (/ˈɔːtəʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “auto” in a sentence?
Here is “auto” used in a sentence: “He works at the auto shop down the street.”
What part of speech is “auto”?
“Auto” is a noun.
Where does the word “auto” come from?
The word “auto” comes from Greek. A shortened form of "automobile," ultimately from Greek autós ("self").
Is “auto” a common word?
“Auto” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between auto and automobile?
They mean the same thing — a car. 'Auto' is simply the shortened, informal version of 'automobile,' which is the full, more formal term. 'Auto' is especially common in American English, both on its own and in compounds like auto industry, auto parts, and auto insurance.
Is auto formal or informal?
Used to mean a car, 'auto' is informal and chiefly American; in everyday speech most people simply say 'car.' The full form 'automobile' sounds more formal or technical. 'Auto' is more at home in casual talk and in industry terms such as auto dealer or auto show.
What is an example of auto in a sentence?
You might read, 'He works at the local auto shop,' or 'Auto sales rose last year.' In these, auto stands in for automobile or car. It appears most often before another noun — auto loan, auto repair, auto worker — describing anything to do with cars.
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