automatically
Americanadverb
-
without volition or from force of habit; mechanically.
Whenever I hear that song, I automatically think of my dad.
-
by a device or process requiring no human intervention.
The switch can be operated automatically or manually.
-
in a manner independent of a decision or action.
Your membership will be renewed automatically.
-
(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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They do not have to start making payments until the April after leaving their course and payments are made automatically through the tax system.
From BBC
A shutdown would likely slow processing for a smaller pool of returns that cannot be handled automatically.
From MarketWatch
The concession was automatically renewed in 2021 for another 25 years.
From Barron's
The top eight sides in the league phase have automatically qualified for the last 16 to avoid a potential fixture pile-up in February.
From BBC
Energy companies pay for and distribute the £150 Warm Home Discount to people's bills, meaning households who are eligible should get the discount automatically, provided their supplier has over 1,000 customers.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
