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.

---

Etymology

Origin of automatically

First recorded in 1710–15; automatic ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

AI agents could be deployed to buy protective puts should oil spike, hedging against potential stock losses, and automatically sweep customers’ cash into higher-yielding assets, like bonds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The DWP will pay an interest-free advance, equivalent to the first month's payment, but will then automatically recover the money from subsequent Universal Credit payments, for up to two years.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

If he gets two more technical fouls between now and the end of the end of the regular season, he will be automatically suspended for an additional game.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

Tax software from H&R Block, TurboTax and others will automatically import last year’s data, import W-2s and 1099s, calculate deductions, check for errors, and transfer federal data to state returns.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

“Where did you get that?” he asked automatically.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

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