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

Automatically increasing your contributions by one percentage point each year for five or more years can result in a healthier account balance without feeling a significant strain on your daily budget, Casey said.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

Automatically defaulting workers into target-date funds also has improved workers’ portfolio diversification, leading them to hold more stocks when young and rebalancing them into a safer asset mix as they near retirement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 18, 2025

"Automatically assigning cargo to networks with the lowest capacity and allowing complete transparency, tracking and even trading while they're in travel".

From BBC • Jul. 21, 2025

Automatically, it’s like, “Oh, someone else needs to take care of this for me.”

From Scientific American • Jun. 9, 2023

Automatically, she found herself depending on her father to make the important decisions, and on her mother to advise her on social engagements and the proper clothes to wear.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Related Words

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