Words with the prefix auto-
auto- means “self; same; spontaneous”, from Greek.
15 examples of the prefix auto-
- autographauto- + graphone's own signature or writing
- automaticauto- + maticacting by itself spontaneously
- automobileauto- + mobileself-moving vehicle
- autopilotauto- + pilotpilot that controls itself
- autobiographyauto- + biographylife story written by oneself
- autofocusauto- + focusfocuses itself automatically
- autocorrectauto- + correctcorrects itself spontaneously
- autoplayauto- + playplays by itself without input
- autonomyauto- + nomyself-governance; ruling oneself
- autopsyauto- + opsyseeing for oneself; self-examination
- autoimmuneauto- + immuneimmune system attacking itself
- autocracyauto- + cracyrule by one person alone
- autogenousauto- + genousoriginating from within oneself
- autonomicauto- + nomicself-governing bodily functions
- autochthonousauto- + chthonousoriginating from the land itself
How auto- works
The prefix 'auto-' attaches to nouns, adjectives, and verbs without changing its spelling, as it ends in a vowel that does not assimilate to following consonants. It typically converts or extends a base word into a new noun or adjective emphasizing self-reference or spontaneous action.
Watch out: The word 'autumn' looks like it might begin with 'auto-' but it derives from Latin 'autumnus' of uncertain origin, with no connection to the prefix meaning 'self.'
To see prefixes combine with other parts, try the word dissector and root builder, or test yourself in the vocabulary quiz.
Other common prefixes
Questions people ask
What does the prefix auto- mean?
auto- means “self; same; spontaneous”. It comes from Greek. The prefix 'auto-' attaches to nouns, adjectives, and verbs without changing its spelling, as it ends in a vowel that does not assimilate to following consonants. It typically converts or extends a base word into a new noun or adjective emphasizing self-reference or spontaneous action.
What are some examples of words with the prefix auto-?
autograph, automatic, automobile, autopilot, autobiography, autofocus, autocorrect, autoplay. The full list of 15 examples, with what each one literally means, is above.
Which words look like they have the prefix auto- but don’t?
The word 'autumn' looks like it might begin with 'auto-' but it derives from Latin 'autumnus' of uncertain origin, with no connection to the prefix meaning 'self.'
What is a prefix?
A prefix is a word part added to the front of a base word or root to change its meaning, like un- in unhappy or re- in rewrite. It does not usually change the part of speech.