Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “auto” come from?

Auto comes from Ancient Greek αὐτός, meaning "self," which English adopted as the prefix auto- to denote independence or self-operation.

auto (English): Clipping of automatic; An automobile; A setting...

Definitions

  1. Clipping of automatic; An automobile; A setting...

Ancestry of “auto”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishautomaticCapable of operating without external control or...
2Frenchautomatiqueautomatic
3Frenchautomateautomaton
4Ancient Greekαὐτόματον—
5Ancient Greekαὐτόματοςself-willed, unbidden; self-moving,...
6Ancient Greekμέμααto wish eagerly, strive, yearn, desire
7Ancient Greekμέμοναto be minded or inclined; to be eager; to hasten
8Proto-Indo-Europeanmemóneto think, to be mindful; to remember
9Proto-Indo-Europeanmen-to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

Words derived from “auto”

  • automaker
  • autoworker
  • semiauto
  • automaking
  • autoist
  • nonauto
  • autorack
  • automania
  • autoless
  • autophile
  • autocrime
  • autojumble
  • auto show
  • automan
  • semi-auto
Every word from Proto-Indo-European men- →