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.
With many vehicles automatically set to stop and then start with every new ride, some people got creative.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
There is a question over whether Platt’s appointment automatically made him the co-CEO and gave him the authority to fire Lyons, the filing said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Trump also referenced Ukraine in the Telegraph, saying: "We've been there automatically, including Ukraine."
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
However, payable-on-death and transfer-on-death accounts do not automatically provide trust protections.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026
Once the milk truck was loaded up, it drove away and made its deliveries automatically.
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
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.
