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. )

Example Sentences

Anyone not selected for the first drop will be automatically entered into subsequent draws.

From Los Angeles Times

She explains that children often lie instinctively as a form of self-protection to avoid being told off and adults may also lie automatically in moments of panic.

From BBC

But many of these services automatically draft payments from customer bank accounts, which can result in overdraft fees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead, it is designed to assist clinicians by quickly flagging concerning cases and automatically processing routine samples.

From Science Daily

Host Austria and the biggest financial contributors France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom automatically qualify for the final.

From Barron's

Related Words

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