automatically

[aw-tuh-mat-ik-lee]

adverb

1. without volition or from force of habit; mechanically.

   Whenever I hear that song, I automatically think of my dad.

2. by a device or process requiring no human intervention.

   The switch can be operated automatically or manually.

3. in a manner independent of a decision or action.

   Your membership will be renewed automatically.

4. (of a firearm) repeatedly for as long as the trigger is pulled.

   a rifle that fires automatically.

Word History and Origins

Origin of automatically¹

First recorded in 1710–15; automatic ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Previously when a school approved a verified change of address, it was mostly automatically accepted.

From Los Angeles Times

People in Ethiopia have no difficulty switching between the two calendars - when they talk in local languages the year is 2018, but in English they automatically jump forward to 2025.

From BBC

"Qualifying for the team automatically was one of my main goals for this year," he added.

From BBC

Payment terminals would also need to be altered, as most are programmed to automatically refuse payments of more than £100 by card.

From BBC

The contracts, which all 50 states have long had versions of, allowed Maine to automatically report births and deaths to Social Security.

From Salon

Related Words

• commonly 
• faithfully 
• frequently 
• repeatedly 
• routinely 
• systematically 
• usually