automatic

[aw-tuh-mat-ik]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR automatic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently: an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.

Physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.

done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical: an automatic application of the brakes.

occurring spontaneously: automatic enthusiasm.

(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.

noun

a machine that operates automatically.

automatic rifle.

automatic pistol.

Football. audible(def 2).

automatic pilot.

automatic transmission.

an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.

Idioms

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

Origin of automatic

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

Related formsau·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbau·to·ma·tic·i·ty

[aw-tuh-muh-tis-i-tee] /ˌɔ tə məˈtɪs ɪ ti/, nounnon·au·to·mat·ic, adjectivenon·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbqua·si-au·to·mat·ic, adjectivequa·si-au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbsub·au·to·mat·ic, adjectivesub·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbun·au·to·mat·ic, adjectiveun·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb

Synonym study

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for automatic

mechanical, electronic, electric, automated, natural, certain, inevitable, reflex, unconscious, routine, necessary, motorized, mechanized, robotic, self-moving, self-regulating, self-starting, habitual, impulsive, instinctive

Examples from the Web for automatic

Contemporary Examples of automatic

Hovering above the scene, commandos in helicopters were poised with automatic rifles.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers
Nico Hines
January 9, 2015
The low crunch of packed dirt against rubber tire was overwhelmed by the ragged explosions of automatic gunfire.
A Belgian Prince, Gorillas, Guerrillas & the Future of the Congo
Nina Strochlic
November 6, 2014
Instead we heard the crackle of automatic gunfire and we could see gray smoke rising from the eastern side of the town.
In the Battle for Kobani, ISIS Falls Back. But for How Long?
Jamie Dettmer
October 20, 2014
He now stands in the self-proclaimed caliphate, also holding a child as well as an automatic weapon.
ISIS Has a Bigger Coalition Than We Do
Michael Daly
October 15, 2014
A little girl was given an automatic weapon to play with this week.
9-Year Old With an Uzi? America Is Tougher on Toys Than Guns
Cliff Schecter
August 28, 2014

Historical Examples of automatic

Wheatstone was knighted in 1868, after his completion of the automatic telegraph.
Heroes of the Telegraph
J. Munro
At last, with a shake of the head, we consented to get into the automatic carriage.
Freeland
Theodor Hertzka
Hilary's hand went to the butt of the automatic within his blouse.
Slaves of Mercury
Nat Schachner
He stopped, whirled, automatic thrusting its blue nose forward.
Slaves of Mercury
Nat Schachner
The automatic dropped from his hand, and he crimped up like a stuck grubworm.
The Cruise of the Dry Dock
T. S. Stribling

British Dictionary definitions for automatic

automatic

adjective

performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; lacking spontaneity; mechanicalan automatic smile

(of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself
(of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment

(of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex

occurring as a necessary consequencepromotion is automatic after a year

(of a firearm)

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 triggerCompare semiautomatic (def. 2)
short for semiautomatic (def. 2) See also machine (def. 5)

noun

an automatic firearm

a motor vehicle having automatic transmission

a machine that operates automatically

Derived Formsautomatically, adverbautomaticity (ˌɔːtəʊməˈtɪsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for automatic

C18: from Greek automatos acting independently

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for automatic

adj.

"self-acting, moving or acting on its own," 1812, from Greek automatos, used of the gates of Olympus and the tripods of Hephaestus (also "without apparent cause, by accident"), from autos "self" (see auto-) + matos "thinking, animated" (see automaton). Of involuntary animal or human actions, from 1748, first used in this sense by English physician and philosopher David Hartley (1705-1757). In reference to a type of firearm, from 1877; specifically of machinery that imitates human-directed action from 1940.

"automatic weapon," 1902, from automatic (adj.). Meaning "motorized vehicle with automatic transmission" is from 1949.