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automatic

automatic

1 7.3
A gun that keeps firing while the trigger is held
  • noun
  • /ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk/
translation icon : pistola automática
  • I own a gun, a semi automatic shotgun bro, for home defense.
  • a .45 automatic
  • .45-caliber automatic
  • a .25-caliber automatic

Examples

  • She stuffs a .45 automatic in her waistband.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • I had a M249 Squad Automatic in my hands.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • You do not need a machine gun, an automatic rifle.

  • What do you think a .45 automatic would do to him from here?

  • The .45 automatic came out of the dark, and Percy turned to run.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • One with grenades and one with an automatic rifle, sorry, a support weapon.

  • Mickey whips out a .45 automatic from a shoulder holster inside his jacket and fires.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Both sides are armed with automatic rifles, rocket propelled grenades and mortars.

  • The thirteen-shot automatic favored by the SAS was in the tote bag slung over his shoulder.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • He decided to buy a new automatic to increase his chances of survival in the dangerous neighborhood.

Synonyms

automatic weapon
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
38 4.9

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

is the broader label used for that same firing action
automatic rifle
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
7 4.7

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

is continuous firing while the trigger is held, not single-shot per pull
automatic pistol
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
2 5.1

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

is the general concept not limited to handheld models
automatic gun
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
1 3.9

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

is the more common general label for that same idea
automatic firearm
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
1 5.1

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

is a neutral technical term for the same function
machine rifle
vsautomatic
  • Specialized
7.5

A gun that fires many bullets automatically with one pull of the trigger

is the general class, not the specialized shoulder-fired many-round type

Compounds

automatic weapon
  • Specialized
38 4.9

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

automatic rifle
  • Specialized
7 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 teller
  • Specialized
2 3.4

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

automatic pistol
  • Specialized
2 5.1

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

automatic pilot
  • Specialized
2 3.9

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

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

1 7.4

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

automatic choke
  • Archaic
1 6.8

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

automatic firearm
  • Specialized
1 5.1

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

automatic gun
  • Specialized
1 3.9

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

automatic pilot
  • Informal
1 5.0

To act without thinking, as if following a routine

3.6

Computers process information without people doing it

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

3.9

Computer systems check who a person is by scanning their face

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

A machine that washes clothes and sheets by itself

automatic drive
  • Specialized
3.2

A car system that changes gears by itself based on speed

automatic drive
  • Specialized
4.1

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

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

How Automatic

automatic
1 7.3
repeating firearm
  • Specialized
8.3
semiautomatic firearm
  • Specialized
1 7.2
one shot
  • Specialized
66 4.1

Surface Forms

automatic singular
automatics plural

Etymology

Automatic as a noun for a gun uses the same auto- 'self' root because the weapon keeps firing while the trigger is held, almost like it acts 'by itself'. That is why an automatic can fire many shots in a row without the shooter loading each one.