[Vocabulary] Automobile

[Mr.Lucky_One]

I'd like to ask native speakers how often the word "automobile" is used in the English language.
Is the word "car" used more often than "automobile"? If yes, then is there any synonym for "car" that is used as often as "car" is?

 

[Tdol]

In British English, automobile is not common- we generally use car.

 

[tedtmc]

The Americans generally like to shorten words. This is one exception.

not a teacher

 

[5jj]

The Americans generally like to shorten words.

I am not sure that I agree.

 

[billmcd]

In British English, automobile is not common- we generally use car.

Same in AmE.

 

[Barb_D]

Definitely "car" for me too, in speaking and in what I hear.

 

[tedtmc]

I an not sure that I agree.

What I meant was the differences in the spelling of certain words. American spellings tend to be shorter.

British and American spelling - Oxford Dictionaries Online

The word automobile is American in origin, no?

 

[Amigos4]

The word automobile is American in origin, no?

No! It is actually French; 1865–70; < French: literally, self-movable (vehicle). (Source: Dictionary.com)

 

[tedtmc]

It was adopted as an English word by the Americans.

Definition of automobile (British & World English)

 

[Tdol]

In BrE, we use things like the car industry, a car manufacturer, etc. I can't think of any context where it would be the natural form.

 

[Rover_KE]

It features in the AA (the Automobile Association) and the RAC (the Royal Automobile Club).

Rover

 

[Tdol]

It features in the AA (the Automobile Association) and the RAC (the Royal Automobile Club).

Rover

I stand corrected. ;-)

 

[SoothingDave]

We would speak of the automobile industry or automobile companies, especially in the business press. But in daily use, the product is cars.