auto

Everyday

1. An auto is a car (mainly American, a bit old-fashioned): «auto repair shop». tree →
2. Auto is short for «automatic» or «automatic mode», a setting where a machine does something by itself: «Set the camera to auto.» tree →
3. Auto- at the start of a word means «self» or «by itself»: autograph, autopilot, automobile, autobiography. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday US life, signs say «auto parts», «auto shop», «auto insurance». On devices, «auto» means the machine chooses settings itself (autosave, autocorrect, autoplay). In word study, the prefix auto- helps you guess meanings. Phrases: «auto shop», «auto repair», «set to auto», «on auto».

Examples

• Dad took the car to the auto repair shop. tree →
• The auto industry makes millions of cars. tree →
• Set the lights to auto and they turn on at night. tree →
• The video started on autoplay. tree →
• Autocorrect changed my word by mistake. tree →
• An autograph is a famous person's own signature. tree →
• An autobiography is a story of your life that you write yourself. tree →
• The pilot switched on the autopilot. tree →
• After the lapse of time the theory of Autochthony (from autos, self, and chthon, earth) was laid aside. tree →

Note

Mainly American as a word for «car»; in the UK, Ireland, Australia and NZ people say «car». Plural: autos. Trap: autocorrect can change words wrongly — always read your writing again.