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. )

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

The fix is setting up a system where households are automatically signed up for accounts and can opt out, he noted.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

If they’re automatically voting for management positions, they can insulate the company from other investors who might want to change things.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

The government of Jersey said weekly monitoring was continuing until 21 September across 16 bays, with results to be updated automatically on an interactive map.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Now, when an order arrives for 1,200 cakes, the new system automatically calculates exactly how many eggs and how much powdered sugar need to be on hand for the bakers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

“White-tailed kites don’t live in Hawai‘i,” I answer automatically.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

Related Words

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