automatically

[ aw-tuh-mat-ik-lee ]

adverb

1. without volition or from force of habit; mechanically:

   Whenever I hear that song, I automatically think of my dad.

2. by a device or process requiring no human intervention:

   The switch can be operated automatically or manually.

3. in a manner independent of a decision or action:

   Your membership will be renewed automatically.

4. (of a firearm) repeatedly for as long as the trigger is pulled:

   a rifle that fires automatically.

Word History and Origins

Origin of automatically¹

First recorded in 1710–15; automatic ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

And messaging apps like WhatsApp introduced settings that automatically delete messages.

From Slate

There’s really been only one glaring exception: Ho has long endorsed birthright citizenship, the constitutional guarantee that virtually everyone born on American soil automatically becomes an American citizen.

From Slate

Payments are made automatically through the tax system.

From BBC

“For unmarried couples, this does not automatically exist, they are considered 'tenants in common' with a 50-50% ownership stake. If a partner in the relationship dies, 50% of the ownership of the property will pass to the deceased partner’s descendants,” said David Akrami, an attorney and owner of Akrami PLLC, a full-service law firm based in Dallas-Fort Worth that does estate planning.

From Salon

Last month, the Pentagon automatically granted honorable discharges to 800 of the estimated 13,000 veterans who had been pushed out of the military during the 1994-2011 “don’t ask, don’t tell” era with less than fully honorable discharges.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commonly
• faithfully
• frequently
• repeatedly
• routinely
• systematically
• usually