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View synonyms for

automatic

[ aw-tuh-mat-ik ]

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.


noun

  1. a machine that operates automatically.
  2. Football. audible ( def 2 ).
  3. an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.

automatic

/ ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk; ˌɔːtəʊməˈtɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

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

    an automatic smile

    1. (of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself
    2. (of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment
  2. (of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex
  3. occurring as a necessary consequence

    promotion is automatic after a year

  4. of a firearm
    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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an automatic firearm
  2. a motor vehicle having automatic transmission
  3. a machine that operates automatically
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • automaticity, noun
  • ˌܳٴˈپ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ٴ···· adverb
  • ·ٴ··پ··ٲ [aw-t, uh, -m, uh, -, tis, -i-tee], noun
  • ԴDz··ٴ·· adjective
  • non··ٴ···· adverb
  • ܲ·-·ٴ·· adjective
  • qua·si-·ٴ···· adverb
  • ܲ··ٴ·· adjective
  • sub··ٴ···· adverb
  • ܲ··ٴ·· adjective
  • un··ٴ···· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of automatic1

First recorded in 1740–50; from Greek ܳó(Dz) “self-moving” ( automaton ) + -ic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of automatic1

C18: from Greek automatos acting independently
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Idioms and Phrases

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

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.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

His immigration crackdown has faced a flurry of legal challenges, as has his effort to end the automatic granting of citizenship to anyone born on US soil.

From

Despite another step up in level, Wrexham have successfully gone toe to toe with a number of former Premier League sides to take the second and final automatic promotion place in League One this season.

From

For much of his Dodgers tenure over the last two seasons, such a situation would usually trigger an automatic “four” signal from the opposing dugout.

From

Foreign nationals sentenced to 12 months or more in prison are subject to automatic deportation.

From

It has been an exciting race for automatic promotion from the Championship, with Leeds United, Burnley and Sheffield United swapping places in the top three for much of the season.

From

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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.

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automated-teller machineautomatically