auto
gb/ˈɔtoʊ/ us/ˈɔtoʊ/
A2
English
~ 900
autó, ön-, auto-
NOUN
A2
1
autó
A1
Usage pattern:
[someone] drives an auto
He bought a new auto last week.
Múlt héten vett egy új autót.
The auto was parked outside the house.
Az autó a ház előtt parkolt.
Auto sales have increased this year.
She prefers driving an auto to taking the bus.
Learner examples
This auto is very fast.
Ez az autó nagyon gyors.
My father drives an auto to work.
Az apám autóval jár dolgozni.
The auto is red.
We saw a big auto on the street.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'auto' with 'automatic' when reading or hearing it out of context.
Meaning
A car or automobile
Collocations
auto repair
|auto industry
|auto insurance
|auto showroom
Synonyms
car (The most common and general term in everyday English; 'auto' is less frequent in casual speech.)
|
automobile (More formal or technical; often used in legal or industry contexts.)
Antonyms
bicycle (A two-wheeled vehicle powered by pedaling, not a motor.)
Themes
transportation
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A car that people use to travel on roads.
A motor vehicle with four wheels, usually powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor, used for transporting people on roads.
B1
TECHNICAL
2
In 'autopilot', 'auto' means the plane flies by itself.
Az „autopilot” szóban az „auto-” azt jelenti, hogy a repülő magától repül.
'Autograph' uses 'auto' to mean writing one's own name.
Az „autograph” szóban az „auto-” arra utal, hogy valaki a saját nevét írja le.
'Autonomous' means able to control itself.
Learner examples
Auto in 'autopilot' means it works alone.
Az „autopilot” szóban az „auto-” azt jelenti, hogy magától működik.
Auto in 'autograph' means your own name.
Az „autograph” szóban az „auto-” azt jelenti, hogy a saját nevedet írod le.
Auto in 'autonomous' means self-control.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'auto' as a prefix always relates to cars; context matters.
Meaning
Self or automatic
Collocations
autopilot
|autograph
|autonomous
Synonyms
self- (Another prefix meaning 'self', common in English.)
Themes
science
|technology
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Added to the start of a word to mean 'self' or 'working by itself'.
Used as a prefix to mean 'self' or 'automatic' in compound words.
Grammar
Dictionary form
auto
IPA
GB/ˈɔtoʊ/
US/ˈɔtoʊ/
Syllables & stress
auto (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (auto)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: auto
- Plural: auto, autos
Word family
Forms
autos
noun
Core family
automobile
noun B1
Related words
automotive
adjective B1
automaker
noun
Expressions
auto industry
1/ˈɔtoʊ ˈɪndəstɹi/
fixed phrase
Business of making and selling cars
The companies and jobs that make and sell cars.
Examples
- The auto industry is facing new challenges.
- She works in the auto industry.
auto insurance
1/ˈɔtoʊ ɪnʃˈʊɹəns/
fixed phrase
Insurance for cars and drivers
An agreement you pay for that gives you money if your car is damaged or stolen.
Examples
- He bought auto insurance when he got his new car.
- Auto insurance is required by law in many places.
auto repair
1/ˈɔtoʊ ɹɪpˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
Fixing a car or automobile
Work done to fix a car when it is broken or not working well.
Examples
- He took his car to the auto repair shop.
- Auto repair costs can be very high.