automatically

American  

[aw-tuh-mat-ik-lee] / ˌɔ təˈmæt ɪk li /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of automatically

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

Explanation

Something that happens automatically happens in a mechanical way without a person having to do anything extra. If you walk through a door that swings open by itself, it opened automatically. When something is done automatically, it does it on its own, like a spellchecker that corrects your spelling automatically. In a crash, a car's airbag automatically fills with air. Many computers automatically go into rest mode (to save energy) if you don't touch them for a few seconds. Automatically can also refer to how you do something without thinking about it, like if you automatically walk into your old apartment and startle the new tenants.

Example Sentences

The top two teams automatically advance to the knockout rounds, as do eight of the 12 third-place teams, meaning one win in group play should be enough to see Norway through.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

As the sitting Labour leader he would automatically be on the ballot that goes to Labour party members.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

That point is especially relevant because natural products are not automatically risk free.

From Science Daily • Jun. 7, 2026

The system automatically flags any inputs that aren’t contextually appropriate or contain banned words, hate speech or violence, said Gray Bright, Sixth Wall’s chief creative officer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Instead, guided by the spirits, Isaac’s hand wrote automatically.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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