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noun

speedo

Speedo (noun) means an informal, shortened term for a speedometer, the dial that shows how fast a vehicle is going. Example: “He glanced at the speedo and eased off the accelerator.”

noun
1
An informal, shortened term for a speedometer, the dial that shows how fast a vehicle is going.
"He glanced at the speedo and eased off the accelerator."
"The speedo on this old car reads a bit high."
2
A close-fitting swimsuit, especially the brief style worn by competitive swimmers (from the brand name Speedo).
"The lifeguard wore a speedo for his training sessions."

How to use speedo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a casual word for the dashboard speed dial, or (from the brand) a tight swim brief.

Common pairings
check the speedo wear a speedo

Word forms

speedos plural, Speedos plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He glanced at the _____ and eased off the accelerator.

Etymology

Shortened from "speedometer"; the swimwear sense comes from the Australian brand name Speedo, first used as a trademark in the 1920s.

· First attested 1920

Class of 1920 speedo joined the language around 1920.
See the full Class of 1920 →
swim briefs

Related words

Rhymes for speedo

See all rhymes for speedo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “speedo” mean?

The word “speedo” means an informal, shortened term for a speedometer, the dial that shows how fast a vehicle is going. In plain terms, either a casual word for the dashboard speed dial, or (from the brand) a tight swim brief.

How do you use “speedo” in a sentence?

Here is “speedo” used in a sentence: “He glanced at the speedo and eased off the accelerator.”

What is another word for “speedo”?

Words with a similar meaning to “speedo” include swim briefs.

What part of speech is “speedo”?

“Speedo” is a noun.

Where does the word “speedo” come from?

The word “speedo” dates back to around 1920. Shortened from "speedometer"; the swimwear sense comes from the Australian brand name Speedo, first used as a trademark in the 1920s.

How many meanings does “speedo” have?

“Speedo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, shortened term for a speedometer, the dial that shows how fast a vehicle is going.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial