What does turbo mean?
Turbo is a word associated with engines and extra power. As a noun, it usually means a turbocharger, a device that uses energy from an engine's exhaust to compress the air entering the engine, allowing the engine to burn more fuel and produce more power. As an adjective, turbo means turbocharged or, more broadly, very fast, powerful, or high-performance. These informal uses are common in conversations about cars, motorcycles, computers, and other machines that are designed to go quickly. In general speech, “turbo” often carries an enthusiastic or exaggerated tone, suggesting speed and performance rather than merely describing a particular engine component. The word is also used as an informal verb, as in a statement that a system or vehicle “turbo” through a task. Although the basic technical meaning is established internationally, pronunciation differs between American English, with an r-sounding vowel, and British English, where the vowel is non-rhotic.
A turbocharger, or an engine equipped with a turbocharger.
"The mechanic replaced the damaged turbo before testing the car."
In technical contexts, turbo may specifically refer to the turbocharger; in everyday automotive use it can also mean a turbocharged car or engine.
Turbocharged; informally, exceptionally fast, powerful, or high-performance.
"The company unveiled its new turbo model at the motor show."
The informal sense is common beyond vehicles and can describe computers, software, or other things noted for speed.
To accelerate or make something move faster, especially by turbocharging it.
"The upgrade lets the engine turbo more efficiently at low speeds."
This verb use is informal and is most often encountered in automotive and technology discussions.
The plural refers to turbochargers or, informally, to cars or engines equipped with turbocharging.
"The shop installs turbos for a variety of older sports cars."
A turbo turns the engine's wasted exhaust into extra power: the old becomes fast again.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does turbo come from?
The English combining form turbo- comes through French turbo from Latin turbo, “a spinning top,” a word associated with turbare, “to agitate” or “disturb.” In engineering, turbocharger denotes a device that uses an exhaust-driven turbine to force additional air into an engine, and the shortened form turbo became common for the device and for engines fitted with one. The same Latin root underlies related words such as turbine, turbulent, and turmoil.
Related word forms
How turbo is actually used
Turbo is standard technical vocabulary when discussing engines, but it is also widely used informally to describe something extremely fast or powerful. The adjective and verb uses are especially common in automotive, gaming, and technology contexts.
Easily confused with turbo
A turbine converts energy from a moving fluid into mechanical energy, whereas a turbocharger uses an exhaust-driven turbine to compress intake air for an engine.