automatic

American  

[aw-tuh-mat-ik] / ˌɔ təˈmæt ɪk /

adjective

1. having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently.

   an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.

2. Physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.

3. done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical.

   an automatic application of the brakes.

4. occurring spontaneously.

   automatic enthusiasm.

5. (of a firearm, pistol, etc.) utilizing the recoil or part of the force of the explosive to eject the spent cartridge shell, introduce a new cartridge, cock the arm, and fire it repeatedly.

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noun

automatics plural

1. a machine that operates automatically.

2. automatic rifle.

3. automatic pistol.

4. Football. audible.

5. automatic pilot.

6. automatic transmission.

7. an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.

idioms

1. on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.

automatic British  

/ ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk, ˌɔːtəʊməˈtɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; lacking spontaneity; mechanical

   an automatic smile

2. 1. (of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself

   2. (of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment

3. (of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex

4. occurring as a necessary consequence

   promotion is automatic after a year

5. 1. utilizing some of the force of or gas from each explosion to eject the empty shell case, replace it with a new one, and fire continuously until release of the trigger Compare semiautomatic

   2. short for semiautomatic See also machine

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noun

1. an automatic firearm

2. a motor vehicle having automatic transmission

3. a machine that operates automatically

Synonym Usage

Automatic, involuntary, spontaneous all mean not under the control of the will. That which is automatic, however, is an invariable reaction to a fixed type of stimulus: The patella reflex is automatic. That which is involuntary is an unexpected response that varies according to the occasion, circumstances, mood, etc.: an involuntary cry of pain. That which is spontaneous arises from immediate stimuli and usually involves an expression of strong feeling: a spontaneous roar of laughter.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• automaticity
  noun
• nonautomatic
  adjective
• quasi-automatic
  adjective
• subautomatic
  adjective
• unautomatic
  adjective
• automatically
  adverb
• nonautomatically
  adverb
• quasi-automatically
  adverb
• subautomatically
  adverb
• unautomatically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• automatics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of automatic

First recorded in 1740–50; from Greek autómat(os) “self-moving” ( see automaton) + -ic

Explanation

If someone asks, “How are you?” and you reply, “Fine,” without really thinking about it, that’s an automatic reply. Something that’s automatic is done without thinking, almost as if you’re a well-programmed machine. The word automatic can be used to describe a machine that works on its own, performing its tasks with little or no human intervention, such as an automatic transmission on a car. Or, automatic can describe a person whose actions are like a machine's. If you flash a smile every time someone walks through the door, it’s an automatic smile, a natural reaction you didn't think about or plan in advance.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

automatic automatics

Imagine “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” with automatic weapons, or “The Honeymooners” with an actual moon shot, and you’ll still be underestimating the domestic rancor of the horror-comedy “Over Your Dead Body.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

"We're looking to tackle that now with some more proactive policing," he said, pointing to new funding for portable automatic number plate recognition technology and the use of drone operators.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

The San Bruno-based company owned by Google agreed to a $7.5-million settlement in a class action lawsuit that alleged the company violated California’s automatic renewal law when renewing YouTube TV subscriptions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

“Some of the engines didn’t start, triggering an automatic launch abort. Now offloading propellant. Next launch attempt hopefully in a few days,” he wrote in a post on X.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

We step through the automatic doors, and the first thing I see is a bag display: giant canvas zipper totes and faux-leather purses and, already, a summery display of woven beach bags.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Persaud says many of his students hope to rent a car overseas, where automatics are sometimes harder to come by, or have significant others who own stick shifts but lack “the patience to teach them.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025

For learner drivers, Ms Howe said, automatics can make the test easier, as "there's just a lot less to do".

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2025

However, the delay doesn’t change the outcome: The CFP will shift the access format from six automatic qualifiers and six at-large bids to five automatics and seven at-larges.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 16, 2024

Nearly all American rental cars are automatics, yet abroad, you will probably receive a car with a stick shift or pay more for the transmission you’re used to.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 16, 2021

For temporary periods the automatics would handle the gravity-shifters.

From Wandl the Invader by Cummings, Ray

Related Words

• automated
• electric
• electronic
• mechanical