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. )

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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

See Examples For:

automatically

A deferred payment obligation doesn’t automatically shield the proceeds from marital claims, and the note itself may be treated as an asset in a divorce.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026

“Two words that usually are not put next to each other automatically creates a little bit of a funny feeling, and then you can expand that concept outwards,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026

The experiments were conducted under one particular type of general anesthesia, so the findings cannot automatically be extended to other anesthetic methods or states of unconsciousness.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026

Zacharia, 41, graduated from Pepperdine University's law school in 2011, but obtaining a law degree does not automatically qualify someone to practice law.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

Within a minute, the machine automatically turned off.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

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Related Words

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

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