automatic
having the capability of starting, operating, moving, etc., independently: an automatic sprinkler system; an automatic car wash.
Physiology. occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary.
done unconsciously or from force of habit; mechanical: an automatic application of the brakes.
occurring spontaneously: automatic enthusiasm.
(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.
a machine that operates automatically.
Football. audible (def. 2).
an automobile equipped with automatic transmission.
Idioms about automatic
on automatic, being operated or controlled by or as if by an automatic device.
Origin of automatic
1synonym study For automatic
Other words from automatic
- au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
- au·to·ma·tic·i·ty [aw-tuh-muh-tis-i-tee], /ˌɔ tə məˈtɪs ɪ ti/, noun
- non·au·to·mat·ic, adjective
- non·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
- qua·si-au·to·mat·ic, adjective
- qua·si-au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
- sub·au·to·mat·ic, adjective
- sub·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
- un·au·to·mat·ic, adjective
- un·au·to·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for automatic
/ (ˌɔːtəˈmætɪk) /
performed from force of habit or without conscious thought; lacking spontaneity; mechanical: an automatic smile
(of a device, mechanism, etc) able to activate, move, or regulate itself
(of an act or process) performed by such automatic equipment
(of the action of a muscle, gland, etc) involuntary or reflex
occurring as a necessary consequence: promotion is automatic after a year
(of a firearm)
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 (def. 2)
short for semiautomatic (def. 2) See also machine (def. 5)
an automatic firearm
a motor vehicle having automatic transmission
a machine that operates automatically
Origin of automatic
1Derived forms of automatic
- automatically, adverb
- automaticity (ˌɔːtəʊməˈtɪsɪtɪ), noun
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
Browse