automobile - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
automobile Word Meanings
- a vehicle used for transportation
- a self-propelled car
- a motor vehicle with four wheels
automobile Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
automobile Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɔːtəməʊbiːl/
US
/ˈɔːtəməˌbiːl/
automobile Word Etymology
auto- = self + mobile = movable; Latin → French → English. Imagine a self-driving car that moves on its own, allowing freedom and adventure.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Automobile is the English term for a motor vehicle used for transportation. In everyday speech, people typically say car or vehicle, while automobile sounds more formal, technical, or historical. The word traces to auto- (self) and mobile (movable), entering English via French from Latin. It rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when self-propelled road vehicles were becoming common. For learners, automobile is easy to confuse with auto (the abbreviated form) or with car, which is broader in scope and more common in conversation. Note that automobiles can be four-wheeled by definition, but the sense emphasizes the broader category of motorized road vehicles. Plurals are automobiles.
Usage Reminders
- - Formal term; not common in casual speech
- - Daily talk uses car or vehicle instead
- - Don’t confuse with auto as a prefix or shorthand
- - Remember the plural adds -es, 'automobiles'
- - Check context: historical/legal texts often prefer it
Common Misconceptions
- It always means a four-wheeled car; cars can be two- or three-wheeled in theory in some contexts.
- Auto is the same word; auto is a prefix and a shorthand, not a separate synonym here.
- Automobile is used for every vehicle, including motorcycles and trucks.
- In American English, automobile is a common casual term.
- Automobile and car are interchangeable in all contexts.
Thinking Differences
English learners should note that 'automobile' is formal and common in historical or technical writing, whereas 'car' is the everyday term. People often over-literal translate from their language. Pay attention to usage in plural form and context.
Learning Tips
- Learn when to use automobile vs car: reserve automobile for formal writing or historical context
- Practice plural: automobiles
- Avoid translating automobile literally to auto in speech
- Check the surrounding terms: vehicle vs automobile
- Read legal/technical texts to see natural usage
- Use a native speaker or corpus examples to hear real-world usage
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'automobile'?
A.A building
B.A fruit
C.A vehicle
D.A planet
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is 'automobile' used correctly?
A.She ate an automobile for lunch.
B.The tree is made of automobile.
C.The cat chased the automobile.
D.He drove his automobile to work.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'automobile'?
A.Car
B.Train
C.Bicycle
D.Boat
Step 4: Opposite Words
What would be the opposite of 'automobile'?
A.Subway
B.Motorcycle
C.Truck
D.Plane
Step 5: Mastery
How does 'automobile' apply in real life?
A.Used for transportation
B.Used for cooking
C.Used for gardening
D.Used for sleeping
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