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. )

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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

See Examples For:

automatically

Importantly, stronger receptor binding does not automatically establish that muscle regeneration itself has improved.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026

A positive result does not automatically mean there is cancer, and a negative result is not a guaranteed all-clear.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

Receiving shares doesn’t automatically make someone a knowledgeable investor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

But dating coach Damona Hoffman notes that traditional values have shifted from the days of the man in a relationship automatically being the provider.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 3, 2026

And then one of the roof windows automatically slid open.

From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown

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Related Words

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

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