Letters and spelling

Words with the auto prefix

This list explores words that use the Greek-derived prefix auto-, meaning self, from everyday words like automatic and automobile to less common ones like autonomy and autodidact. It works well for students studying roots and prefixes, word-game players looking for a themed set, or anyone curious about how one prefix can shape so many different words.

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Words with the auto prefix

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
automaticadjective	Operating by itself with little or no direct human control.	The automatic doors slid open as soon as she approached the entrance.
automobilenoun	A self-propelled road vehicle designed to carry passengers, typically powered by an engine.	The museum displays one of the earliest automobiles ever manufactured.
autographnoun	A person's signature, especially one given as a memento by someone famous.	Fans lined up for hours to get the singer's autograph after the concert.
autonomynoun	The right or condition of self-government or independent decision-making, free from outside control.	The new manager gave the team more autonomy over their own schedules.
autobiographynoun	A written account of a person's own life, composed by that person.	In her autobiography, the astronaut described her difficult journey to becoming a pilot.
autopilotnoun	A system that automatically controls the direction of an aircraft, ship, or vehicle without human steering.	The pilot switched to autopilot once the plane reached cruising altitude.
autocorrectnoun	Software that automatically fixes spelling or typing errors as text is entered.	Autocorrect changed 'definitely' to 'defiantly' in his hastily typed message.
autoimmuneadjective	Relating to a disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissue.	Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that inflames the joints.
automateverb	To convert a process so that it operates using machines or software with minimal human control.	The factory automated its packaging line to increase speed and reduce errors.
autocracynoun	A system of government in which one person holds absolute and unrestricted political power.	Critics warned that the new constitution risked turning the country into an autocracy.
autopsynoun	A medical examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death.	The coroner performed an autopsy to confirm that the death was accidental.
autismnoun	A developmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior, appearing in early childhood.	Her son was diagnosed with autism at age three and now receives specialized support.
automationnoun	The use of machines or technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention.	Automation has reduced the number of workers needed on the assembly line.
autonomousadjective	Able to act or govern independently, without external control.	The self-driving car navigated the city streets as a fully autonomous vehicle.
autofocusnoun	A camera feature that automatically adjusts the lens to keep the subject sharp.	The camera's autofocus struggled to lock onto the bird as it flew past.
autosaveverb	To automatically save a document or file at regular intervals without user action.	The editor autosaves every document every thirty seconds to prevent lost work.
autodidactnoun	A person who has taught themselves a subject or skill without formal instruction.	A lifelong autodidact, he learned three languages entirely from library books.
autocraticadjective	Ruling with absolute power and typically allowing little input from others.	The autocratic CEO made every major decision without consulting his team.
autoclavenoun	A sealed device that uses high-pressure steam to sterilize equipment or materials.	Surgical instruments are sterilized in an autoclave before every operation.
autotrophnoun	An organism that produces its own food from inorganic substances, typically using sunlight or chemical energy.	Plants are autotrophs that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.
automatnoun	A cafeteria-style restaurant where food is dispensed from coin-operated vending compartments.	In the 1950s, workers grabbed a quick lunch at the automat downtown.
autobahnproper noun	The federal highway system in Germany, known for having sections without a general speed limit.	We drove at nearly 150 miles per hour on an open stretch of the autobahn.

What auto- means

The prefix auto- comes from the Greek word for self and shows up across many fields, from biology to technology. In autobiography and autodidact, it points directly to someone doing something for or by themselves. In automatic, autopilot, and autocorrect, it describes something that operates without a person actively controlling it, which is really just a machine version of the same self-acting idea.

Frequently asked questions

What does the auto- prefix mean?

Auto- comes from Greek and means self, as seen in words like autobiography, meaning writing about yourself, and autonomy, meaning self-governance.

What are some common words with the auto- prefix?

Automatic, automobile, autograph, and autopilot are everyday examples, alongside less common words like autodidact and autotroph.