automatic

American  

[aw-tuh-mat-ik] / ˌɔ təˈmæt ɪk /

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.

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noun

• automatics
  plural

1. a machine that operates automatically.

2. automatic rifle.

3. automatic pistol.

4. Football. audible.

5. automatic pilot.

6. automatic transmission.

7. an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.

idioms

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

automatic British  

/ ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk /

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. 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

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noun

1. an automatic firearm

2. a motor vehicle having automatic transmission

3. a machine that operates automatically

Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• automaticity
  noun
• nonautomatic
  adjective
• quasi-automatic
  adjective
• subautomatic
  adjective
• unautomatic
  adjective
• automatically
  adverb
• nonautomatically
  adverb
• quasi-automatically
  adverb
• subautomatically
  adverb
• unautomatically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• automatics
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of automatic

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

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Explanation

If someone asks, “How are you?” and you reply, “Fine,” without really thinking about it, that’s an automatic reply. Something that’s automatic is done without thinking, almost as if you’re a well-programmed machine. The word automatic can be used to describe a machine that works on its own, performing its tasks with little or no human intervention, such as an automatic transmission on a car. Or, automatic can describe a person whose actions are like a machine's. If you flash a smile every time someone walks through the door, it’s an automatic smile, a natural reaction you didn't think about or plan in advance.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

automatic automatics

For example, giving an automatic admission to the top 5% of the students in all of a big city’s high schools or its middle schools could achieve greater racial and ethnic diversity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

Automatic enrollment has helped more workers get into the plans, and subsequent automatic increases in the percentage of earnings they save help keep them on track.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

She had to set up automatic sprinklers to keep the outdoor plants alive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Alexander disease can interfere with movement, thinking, and automatic bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

There was talk of automatic bedpan- and bottle-washers being installed, but this was mere rumor of a promised land.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

While manual transmissions were once common enough to be called “standard,” in recent decades, they’ve lost some of their cost advantage over automatics, noted Bill Stokes, a product planner for Subaru.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025

The AA is predicting that 29% of all tests will be taken in automatics in 2025/26.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2025

However, the delay doesn’t change the outcome: The CFP will shift the access format from six automatic qualifiers and six at-large bids to five automatics and seven at-larges.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 16, 2024

That’s despite the fact that automatics left manuals in their dust years ago.

From New York Times ● Oct. 1, 2021

It ran around the dim upthrusting bulk of a weather-observation tower which was turned over to its automatics for the night and there was no one else to be seen.

From The Sensitive Man by Poul William Anderson

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Related Words

• automated
• electric
• electronic
• mechanical

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