automatic

[ aw-tuh-mat-ik ]

adjective

1. having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently:

   an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.

2. Physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.
3. done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical:

   an automatic application of the brakes.

4. occurring spontaneously:

   automatic enthusiasm.

5. (of a firearm, pistol, etc.) utilizing the recoil or part of the force of the explosive to eject the spent cartridge shell, introduce a new cartridge, cock the arm, and fire it repeatedly.

noun

1. a machine that operates automatically.
2. automatic rifle.
3. automatic pistol.
4. Football. audible ( def 2 ).
5. automatic pilot.
6. automatic transmission.
7. an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.

automatic

/ ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk; ˌɔːtəʊməˈtɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; lacking spontaneity; mechanical

   an automatic smile

2. 1. (of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself
   2. (of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment
3. (of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex
4. occurring as a necessary consequence

   promotion is automatic after a year

5. of a firearm
   1. utilizing some of the force of or gas from each explosion to eject the empty shell case, replace it with a new one, and fire continuously until release of the trigger Compare semiautomatic
   2. short for semiautomatic See also machine

noun

1. an automatic firearm
2. a motor vehicle having automatic transmission
3. a machine that operates automatically

Derived Forms

• automaticity, noun
• ˌautoˈmatically, adverb

Other Words From

• au·to·mat·i·cal·ly adverb
• au·to·ma·tic·i·ty [aw-t, uh, -m, uh, -, tis, -i-tee], noun
• non·au·to·mat·ic adjective
• non·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly adverb
• qua·si-au·to·mat·ic adjective
• qua·si-au·to·mat·i·cal·ly adverb
• sub·au·to·mat·ic adjective
• sub·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·au·to·mat·ic adjective
• un·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of automatic¹

First recorded in 1740–50; from Greek autómat(os) “self-moving” ( automaton ) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of automatic¹

C18: from Greek automatos acting independently

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.

Synonym Study

Automatic, involuntary, spontaneous all mean not under the control of the will. That which is automatic, however, is an invariable reaction to a fixed type of stimulus: The patella reflex is automatic. That which is involuntary is an unexpected response that varies according to the occasion, circumstances, mood, etc.: an involuntary cry of pain. That which is spontaneous arises from immediate stimuli and usually involves an expression of strong feeling: a spontaneous roar of laughter.

Example Sentences

It comes as festival organisers announced last week a huge change to its ticket booking process, with the introduction of an automatic queue system.

From BBC

But those personnel decisions aren't automatic.

From BBC

Receiving these prompts takes zero effort—they’re automatic.

From Slate

England need to win these two matches to earn automatic promotion back to the top level of the Nations League and ensure Tuchel's first game is not a Nations League play-off rather than the World Cup qualifier he says he has planned for.

From BBC

And so it has become a foundational American principle that the children of immigrants obtain automatic citizenship.

From Slate

Related Words

• automated
• electric
• electronic
• mechanical