noun
Common
automobile
AW-tuh-muh-beel
Automobile (noun) means a wheeled motor vehicle built to carry a driver and a few passengers under its own power. Example: “My grandfather still drives the same automobile he bought when he retired.”
noun
1
A wheeled motor vehicle built to carry a driver and a few passengers under its own power.
"My grandfather still drives the same automobile he bought when he retired."
"Surprisingly, this analysis revealed that acute exposure to solvent vapors at concentrations below those associated with long-term effects appears to increase the risk of a fatal automobile accident."
— , Solvents, Ethanol, Car Crashes & Tolerance (2013)
"The family bought their first automobile in 1965."
"Traffic in the city center is dominated by automobiles rather than bikes."
How to use automobile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA car — a self-powered vehicle for road travel.
UK vs US
Chiefly an American term; British English usually just says "car."
Common pairings
automobile industry
automobile manufacturer
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Word forms
- Plural
- automobiles
- Third person singular
- automobiles
- Past tense
- automobiled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My grandfather still drives the same _____ he bought when he retired.
Etymology
From French automobile, joining Greek autós ("self") with French mobile ("moving"), itself from Latin mobilis.
Related words
Rhymes for automobile
See all rhymes for automobile →Frequently asked questions
What does “automobile” mean?
The word “automobile” means a wheeled motor vehicle built to carry a driver and a few passengers under its own power. In plain terms, a car — a self-powered vehicle for road travel.
How do you pronounce “automobile”?
“Automobile” is pronounced AW-tuh-muh-beel (/ˈɔː.tə.məˌbil/ in IPA).
How do you use “automobile” in a sentence?
Here is “automobile” used in a sentence: “The family bought their first automobile in 1965.”
What part of speech is “automobile”?
“Automobile” is a noun.
Where does the word “automobile” come from?
The word “automobile” comes from Latin. From French automobile, joining Greek autós ("self") with French mobile ("moving"), itself from Latin mobilis.
Is “automobile” a common word?
“Automobile” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between an automobile and a car?
They refer to the same thing: a wheeled motor vehicle that carries a driver and a few passengers under its own power. 'Automobile' is the more formal or technical term, while 'car' is the everyday word most people use.
Is 'automobile' a formal word?
Yes. 'Automobile' sounds more formal and is more common in American English, especially in technical, legal, or industry contexts. In ordinary speech, most people simply say 'car'.
What is the difference between an automobile and a vehicle?
An automobile is one specific type of vehicle, built to carry a driver and a few passengers under its own power. 'Vehicle' is a much broader term that also covers trucks, buses, motorcycles, and even bicycles.
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