Automatically
/ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli/
adverbBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
Occurring or operating spontaneously or by pre-set mechanism without external control.
/ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli/
adverbneutralBeginner
General
In an automatic manner; without conscious control or intervention.
The lights switched on automatically.
💡 Simply: Happening or working on its own.
More Examples
2
The system automatically updates itself.
How It's Used
Technology
"The doors opened automatically."
General
"He automatically reached for his phone."
From "automatic" + "-ally", ultimately deriving from the Greek words 'auto' (self) and 'matos' (moved/moving). It reflects the increasing use of self-operating machinery.
The word gained prominence with the rise of automated machinery in the industrial revolution.
Memory tip
Think 'auto' (self) and 'matic' (mechanical) – it does it by itself.
Practice
Base: automatic
automaticalyautomaticlyautomactically
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written