automatic
1 of 2adjective
au·to·mat·ic ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik 
1
a
: largely or wholly involuntary
especially : reflex sense 5
automatic blinking of the eyelids
b
: acting or done spontaneously or unconsciously
the automatic applause of the audience
c
: done or produced as if by machine : mechanical
the answers were automatic
2
: having a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism
an automatic transmission
3
of a firearm : firing repeatedly until the trigger is released
automatically
ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb automaticity
ˌȯ-tə-mə-ˈti-sə-tē
noun -ma-
automatic
2 of 2noun
1
: a machine or apparatus that operates automatically
especially : an automatic firearm
2
a
: an automatic transmission
a car with a three-speed automatic
b
: an automobile with an automatic transmission
Is your car an automatic or a manual?
3
American football : audible
Synonyms
Adjective
- instinctive
- instinctual
- involuntary
- knee-jerk
- mechanic
- mechanical
- robotic
- spontaneous
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective Without thinking, he gave an automatic reply. She always has an automatic smile for everyone. Noun Will your next car be a manual or an automatic?
Recent Examples on the Web
Graham Dunbar, ajc, 16 Sep. 2022 Charges the performer, whose given name is Michael Tyler, will face during his arraignment Monday will include first-degree rape, which carries an automatic life sentence if Tyler is convicted. Janet Mcconnaughey, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 Now, some 73% of sales come from its automatic shipping service favored by repeat customers. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2022 It comes paired with either a Tremec six-speed manual or Ford’s own 10-speed automatic. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2022 City council pay has been tied to inflation since 2006, when aldermen voted to give themselves automatic raises based on the consumer price index. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 There is a sliding, semi-automatic door compartment that keeps your cards protected and out of the view of the public. Chris Hachey, BGR, 14 Sep. 2022 The raises will cost the city’s taxpayers $131,308 in the first year, with automatic increases built in. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2022 Roberts thought Kimbrel’s inconsistent command might have been impacted having an automatic baserunner at second to begin the inning. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 28 July 2022 However, the RS 6 also aimed for everyday drivability by ditching its manual transmission, opting instead for a smooth-shifting automatic. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 29 July 2022 Though an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is standard, a seven-speed manual is a no-cost option. David Beard, Car and Driver, 13 July 2022 Familiar Mechanicals As before, the 3.8-liter V-6 produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with the eight-speed automatic also carrying over. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 15 Aug. 2022 Mated to the engine is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G (a 9-speed multi-clutch automatic) sending power through an AMG Performance 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Michael Harley, Forbes, 1 July 2022 Those are big gains over the old truck's 5.7-liter V-8 and its 381 hp and 401 pound-feet and six-speed automatic. Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 8 June 2022 Its sole powertrain is a 295-hp 3.5-liter V-6 coupled to a nine-speed automatic. Nicholas Wallace, Car and Driver, 7 June 2022 Or how about a 1967 Bronco with a 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 and a six-speed automatic, which sold for $139,049? Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 17 May 2022 See More
Adjective
Had Ecuador forfeited all eight games Castillo played, Chile would have risen to the fourth automatic qualification place in the South American qualifying group. Graham Dunbar, ajc, 16 Sep. 2022 Charges the performer, whose given name is Michael Tyler, will face during his arraignment Monday will include first-degree rape, which carries an automatic life sentence if Tyler is convicted. Janet Mcconnaughey, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 Now, some 73% of sales come from its automatic shipping service favored by repeat customers. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2022 It comes paired with either a Tremec six-speed manual or Ford’s own 10-speed automatic. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2022 City council pay has been tied to inflation since 2006, when aldermen voted to give themselves automatic raises based on the consumer price index. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2022 There is a sliding, semi-automatic door compartment that keeps your cards protected and out of the view of the public. Chris Hachey, BGR, 14 Sep. 2022 The raises will cost the city’s taxpayers $131,308 in the first year, with automatic increases built in. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 Sep. 2022 Roberts thought Kimbrel’s inconsistent command might have been impacted having an automatic baserunner at second to begin the inning. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 Noun
The Frontier offers the most power in the segment thanks to its 310-hp V-6, which pairs with a nine-speed automatic. Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 28 July 2022 However, the RS 6 also aimed for everyday drivability by ditching its manual transmission, opting instead for a smooth-shifting automatic. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 29 July 2022 Though an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is standard, a seven-speed manual is a no-cost option. David Beard, Car and Driver, 13 July 2022 Familiar Mechanicals As before, the 3.8-liter V-6 produces 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with the eight-speed automatic also carrying over. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 15 Aug. 2022 Mated to the engine is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G (a 9-speed multi-clutch automatic) sending power through an AMG Performance 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) system. Michael Harley, Forbes, 1 July 2022 Those are big gains over the old truck's 5.7-liter V-8 and its 381 hp and 401 pound-feet and six-speed automatic. Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 8 June 2022 Its sole powertrain is a 295-hp 3.5-liter V-6 coupled to a nine-speed automatic. Nicholas Wallace, Car and Driver, 7 June 2022 Or how about a 1967 Bronco with a 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 and a six-speed automatic, which sold for $139,049? Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 17 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Greek automatos self-acting, from aut- + -matos (akin to Latin ment-, mens mind) — more at mind
First Known Use
Adjective
1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing automatic
Kids Definition
automatic
adjective
au·to·mat·ic ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik
1
: involuntary sense 1
automatic blinking of eyelids
2
: being a machine or device that allows something to work without being directly controlled by a person
Legal Definition
automatic
adjective
au·to·mat·ic
: happening or existing through the operation of a preexisting arrangement that is triggered by some event
specifically : happening or existing through the operation of law
automatic reversal
an automatic appeal
automatics
noun
as in carbines
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- carbines
- shotguns
- rifles
- matchlocks
- smoothbores
- flintlocks
- breechloaders
- semiautomatics
- repeaters
- muskets
- blunderbusses
- machine guns
- revolvers
- assault rifles
- assault weapons
- submachine guns
- machine pistols
- AK-47s
- harquebuses
- firelocks
- .22s
- arquebuses
- pistols
- handguns
- tommy guns
- fieldpieces
- guns
- derringers
- spearguns
- culverins
- firearms
- sidearms
- .45s
- twenty-twos
- zip guns
- gats
- small arms
- six-shooters
- self-loaders
- roscoes
- six-guns
- rods
- arms
- forty-fives
- heat
- pieces
