automatic

[ aw-tuh-mat-ik ]

/ ˌɔ təˈmæt ɪk /

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.

Nearby words

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 forms

au·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, adverb

qua·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

Examples from the Web for automatic

Hovering above the scene, commandos in helicopters were poised with automatic rifles.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
Every automatic co-ordinated act is not of necessity cortical.
Tics and Their Treatment|Henry Meigne
If the brake cylinder pipe breaks, can the locomotive brake be applied with the automatic brake valve?
The Traveling Engineers' Association|Anonymous
Johnny would stand little show with him in a duel, good as his automatic was.
Triple Spies|Roy J. Snell
Nay, between the two cases there is a parallelism even in respect of the exceptions to this automatic action.
Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I|Herbert Spencer
Strangely enough the reverse has been true in the development of the automatic system.
Cyclopedia of Telephony and Telegraphy, Vol. 2|Kempster Miller

British Dictionary definitions for automatic

automatic

/ (ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk) /

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 (1 of 2)

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.

Word Origin and History for automatic (1 of 2)

automatic

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

automatic

adjective

noun

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Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of automatic

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for automatic

British Dictionary definitions for automatic

automatic

adjective

noun

Word Origin for automatic

Word Origin and History for automatic (1 of 2)

automatic

Word Origin and History for automatic (1 of 2)

automatic