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

The Warm Home Discount of £150 is paid automatically by energy suppliers to those on the guaranteed element of Pension Credit.

From BBC

The car even has a “safe stop” feature—when pulling into my garage, for example, it will automatically stop if it senses that I’m about to hit something.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because the case was tried in civil court, Lopez does not meet the legal threshold to be automatically removed from the council — which would require him to be convicted of a criminal felony.

From Los Angeles Times

His team are fourth in the Premier League table and can qualify automatically for the last 16 of the Champions League.

From Barron's

However, the country has not carried out an execution since 1976 and the death penalty is automatically commuted to life imprisonment.

From Barron's

Related Words

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