Skip to main content
automatic

automatic

231 3.4
Works by itself with little or no human control
  • adjective
  • /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
: automático
  • The automatic sprinkler system waters the garden every morning without any manual setup.
  • an automatic door
  • an automatic washing machine
  • automatic teller machine

Can we make optional automatic feature updates?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Of course any time she uses it, our automatic garage door goes up.

  • One of my clients is thinking of opening a chain of automatic car washes.

  • Like for example, automatic climate control seats.

  • Fortunately, this car has automatic seat belt extenders.

  • Fresh and clean drinking water was provided at all times through automatic nipple drinkers.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Measurements of blood pressure and heart rate were then taken using an Omron automatic blood pressure cuff.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques are used for automatic text classification.

    Academic text (2017)
  • This coffee machine is fully automatic and brews a fresh cup with just a push of a button.

  • Many modern cars come equipped with automatic headlights that turn on when it gets dark.

Synonyms

automated
vsautomatic
102 4.0

Machines or computers run a system instead of people

focuses on independent functioning with little or no manual control
on autopilot
vsautomatic
  • Informal
19 4.1

Doing tasks without thinking because of habit

refers to devices or processes working independently, not human habit
self-activating
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A device or system that starts and works by itself without outside help

is about ongoing independent operation rather than only starting itself
machine-controlled
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
1 4.8

Machines run it with little or no human help

covers general independent operation not only machine management
machine-driven
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A thing that uses machines or computers instead of people to do work

includes items that function independently without specific machine control
autoregulatory
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
1 8.1

That controls itself without outside help

is broader, meaning independent operation beyond just regulation
self-acting
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A machine that works automatically without people needing to control it

is the same idea but stresses minimal manual control
autonomic
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
1 7.1

Describing computers or networks that manage and fix themselves with little human help

is the general term for independent functioning beyond computing use

Antonyms

139 3.8

Done by hand rather than by a machine

Compounds

automatic weapon
  • Specialized
45 4.9

A gun that reloads and keeps firing while the trigger is held

automatic rifle
  • Specialized
11 4.7

A rifle that shoots bullets without stopping as long as the trigger is held

7 3.7

A car system that changes gears by itself so the driver does not have to shift them

automatic pilot
  • Informal
4 5.0

To act without thinking, as if following a routine

automatic pistol
  • Specialized
4 5.1

A small gun that keeps firing while you hold the trigger and there are bullets

automatic pilot
  • Specialized
4 3.9

A device that steers a plane, ship, or spacecraft by itself

automatic gun
  • Specialized
3 3.9

A weapon that reloads and keeps firing while you hold the trigger

automatic teller
  • Specialized
3 3.4

A machine outside banks that lets customers use a bank card to take out cash and do simple bank tasks

A machine outside banks that gives cash and lets you do basic banking with a card and a code

automatic firearm
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A gun that keeps loading and shooting as long as you hold the trigger

automatic drive
  • Specialized
1 3.2

A car system that changes gears by itself based on speed

1 7.4

A portable .30 caliber automatic rifle used by United States soldiers in World War I, World War II, and Korea

1 2.6

A machine that washes clothes and sheets by itself

An electric machine that makes bread slices brown and pops them up when ready

automatic drive
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A mode in which a car moves, steers, and brakes using sensors and software

1 3.9

Computer systems check who a person is by scanning their face

automatic choke
  • Archaic
6.8

A device in a car engine that automatically reduces air so the engine starts easily when cold

3.6

Computers process information without people doing it

A set of computers and programs that store, process, and find data automatically

A coffee machine that grinds beans, brews espresso, and makes milk foam automatically

How Automatic

autonomous
49 6.3
automatic
231 3.4
manual
139 3.8

Surface Forms

automatic positive

Morphology

automatic = automate (transparent) = automate + ic

Clear adjectival formation from the verb 'automate' with the productive suffix '-ic', yielding 'self‑operating'.

Etymology

Automatic comes from the Greek prefix auto- meaning 'self' and originally meant 'self-acting'. So an automatic device is one that works 'by itself' with little or no human control.