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

Etymology

Origin of automatic

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

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

There is simply a small patch of negative space where something automatic used to happen.

From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2026

The autonomic nervous system helps regulate many automatic functions in the body, including digestion.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2026

They said because the listing by Which? was not "live" on its site across the two months it was present, "some of our automatic fraud controls were not triggered to completely remove the closed listing".

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

The Treasury Department’s automatic enrollment will be a “significant expansion” in the number of kids with these accounts, said Melissa Elbert, a partner at the consulting firm Aon.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

It was hardly the same as going off on a business trip and then setting up an automatic text to arrive a week later saying she was never coming back.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

It is a decision that could affect the rest of their driving lives - pass your test in an automatic and you will forever be boxed into only driving automatics - or indeed electric vehicles.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2025

Persaud says many of his students hope to rent a car overseas, where automatics are sometimes harder to come by, or have significant others who own stick shifts but lack “the patience to teach them.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 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

Nearly all American rental cars are automatics, yet abroad, you will probably receive a car with a stick shift or pay more for the transmission you’re used to.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 16, 2021

Two automatics captured, and the dories of the foe useless from lack of oars.

From Jim Spurling, Fisherman or Making Good by Albert Walter Tolman

Related Words

• automated
• electric
• electronic
• mechanical