automobile

1 of 2

noun

au·​to·​mo·​bile ˌȯ-tə-mō-ˈbēl How to pronounce automobile (audio)
ˈȯ-tə-mō-ˌbēl, 
ˌȯ-tə-ˈmō-ˌbēl How to pronounce automobile (audio)
Synonyms of automobilenext
: a usually four-wheeled automotive vehicle designed for passenger transportation
automobile intransitive verb
automobilist
ˌȯ-tə-mō-ˈbē-list How to pronounce automobile (audio) ˌȯ-tə-ˈmō-ˌbē-list How to pronounce automobile (audio)
noun

automobile

2 of 2

adjective

: automotive

Synonyms of automobile

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of automobile in a Sentence

Noun He drives an expensive automobile. browsed online for used automobiles for sale
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The automobile has long been Manzoni’s muse. — The Editors, Robb Report, 27 June 2026 The trio enjoyed in-jokes, road trips in fast cars (Picabia was obsessed with automobiles), and artistic experiments. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026
Adjective
America should learn from their pro-cycling, anti-automobile ways, not drag them down to our level! — Jessica Goldstein, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2021 Pre-19th-century houses tend to be built right up against busy main roads (for ease of access in pre-automobile times). — Jenny Xie, Curbed, 28 Jan. 2022 See All Example Sentences for automobile

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of automobile entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from French, "self-propelled," from auto- auto- + mobile mobile entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1881, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of automobile was in 1876

Rhymes for automobile

See All Rhymes for automobile

Browse Nearby Words

automimicry
automobile
automobile insurance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Automobile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/automobile. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

automobile

1 of 2 adjective
au·​to·​mo·​bile ˈȯt-ə-mō-ˌbēl How to pronounce automobile (audio) ˌȯt-ə-mō-ˈbē(ə)l How to pronounce automobile (audio)
ˌȯt-ə-ˈmō-ˌbēl
: of or relating to automobiles

automobile

2 of 2 noun
: a usually four-wheeled vehicle with its own power system (as an internal combustion engine) designed for passenger transportation
automobile verb
automobilist
-mō-ˈbē-ləst How to pronounce automobile (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on automobile

Nglish: Translation of automobile for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about automobile

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