automatically

UK: /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

au•to•mat•ic /ˌɔtəˈmætɪk/   adj. 

1. having the capability of operating independently without human aid:
   an automatic sprinkler system.
2. Physiology occurring without conscious thought, as certain muscular actions;
   involuntary;
   reflex:
   The blink of an eyelid is an automatic action.
3. done unconsciously or from force of habit;
   mechanical:
   His smoking had become automatic.
4. always following some other event as its cause;
   certain to happen:
   Driving drunk means an automatic fine.
5. (of a firearm) able to be fired repeatedly with one squeeze of the trigger:
   automatic rifles.

n. [countable]

6. Mechanical Engineering a machine or device that operates automatically:
   Most washing machines are automatics.
7. an automatic pistol or rifle.
8. Automotive an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.

Idioms

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

au•to•mat•i•cal•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

au•to•mat•ic  (ô′tə mat′ik), adj. 

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.

n. 

6. a machine that operates automatically.
7. See automatic rifle. 
8. See automatic pistol. 
9. Sport [Football.] audible (def. 2).
10. Aeronautics See automatic pilot. 
11. Automotive See automatic transmission. 
12. Automotive an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.
13. on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.

• Greek autómat(os) self-moving (see automaton) + -ic
• 1740–50

au′to•mat′i•cal•ly, adv. 
au•to•ma•tic•i•ty  (ô′tə mə tis′i tē), n.  Synonyms

• 2. 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.