Automatic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik/ au·to·mat·ic

Meaning & Definition of Automatic

Automatic (adjective)

  1. largely or wholly involuntary; especially, reflex
  2. acting or done spontaneously or unconsciously
  3. done or produced as if by machine, mechanical

Automatic (noun)

  1. a machine or apparatus that operates automatically; especially, an automatic firearm
  2. an automatic transmission
  3. an automobile with an automatic transmission

Automatic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. done instantly and without conscious thought or decision

    "Carl's automatic use of the brakes narrowly averted a collision"

    similar: instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic, spontaneous
    related: conditioned, natural, Pavlovian, reactive, reflex, simple, subliminal, unconscious, unforced, visceral, blind, inadvertent, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, unwitting, abrupt, quick, ready, sudden, ad-lib, extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, snap, spur-of-the-moment, unconsidered, unplanned, unpremeditated, unprepared, unprompted, unreasoned, unrehearsed, unstudied, casual, chance, chancy, haphazard, hasty, hit-or-miss, impetuous, impulsive, mindless, random, rash
    near: calculated, conscious, cultivated, deliberate, designed, intended, intentional, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, volitional, voluntary, willed, willful, advised, aforethought, careful, considered, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied, thoughtful

  2. designed to replace or decrease human labor and especially physical labor

    "liked the ease of an automatic floor cleaner"

    similar: automated, laborsaving, robotic, self-acting, self-operating, self-regulating
    related: mechanical, motorized, nonmanual, computerized, aiding, helping, easing, relieving, time-saving, semiautomatic
    opposite: nonautomated, nonautomatic

Automatic (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in assault weapon, machine gun

    similar: AK-47, assault rifle, assault weapon, carbine, machine gun, machine pistol, repeater, submachine gun, tommy gun, blunderbuss, breechloader, culverin, fieldpiece, firelock, flintlock, harquebus, matchlock, musket, rifle, shotgun, smoothbore, twenty-two, speargun, self-loader, semiautomatic, derringer, forty-five, gat (slang), handgun, pistol, revolver, rod (slang), roscoe (slang), sidearm, six-gun, six-shooter, zip gun, arm, firearm, gun, heat (slang), piece, small arm

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Automatic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Automatic:

Slang: gat, rod, roscoe, heat
instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic, spontaneous, automated, laborsaving, self-acting, self-operating, self-regulating, AK-47, assault rifle, assault weapon, carbine, machine gun, machine pistol, repeater, submachine gun, tommy gun, blunderbuss, breechloader, culverin, fieldpiece, firelock, flintlock, harquebus, matchlock, musket, rifle, shotgun, smoothbore, twenty-two, speargun, self-loader, semiautomatic, derringer, forty-five

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Automatic

Words with the opposite meaning of Automatic:

nonautomated, nonautomatic

Related Words for Automatic

conditioned, natural, Pavlovian, reactive, reflex, simple, subliminal, unconscious, unforced, visceral, blind, inadvertent, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, unwitting, abrupt, quick, ready, sudden, ad-lib, extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, snap, spur-of-the-moment

Near Antonyms of Automatic

calculated, conscious, cultivated, deliberate, designed, intended, intentional, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, volitional, voluntary, willed, willful, advised, aforethought, careful, considered, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied, thoughtful

Word Forms of Automatic

Derived words: automatically (adverb), automaticity (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Automatic

borrowed from New Latin automaticus, from Latin automatum "contrivance with a hidden mechanism that appears to operate on its own" (borrowed from Greek autómaton) + -icus -ic:1 automaton

First known use: 1686

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Automatic

Words & Phrases Containing Automatic

automatic pilot, automatic teller, automatic teller machine, automatic writing, automatic transmission, Browning automatic rifle

Frequently Asked Questions about Automatic

What does "Automatic" mean?

"Automatic" means largely or wholly involuntary; especially, reflex. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: largely or wholly involuntary; especially, reflex. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Automatic"?

Other words for "Automatic" include instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic and spontaneous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Automatic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Automatic"?

There are 113 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Automatic". Common alternatives include instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, mechanical, robotic, spontaneous, automated and laborsaving.

What is a slang word for "Automatic"?

Slang words for "Automatic" include gat, rod, roscoe and heat.

What is the opposite of "Automatic"?

Antonyms of "Automatic" include nonautomated and nonautomatic. Near antonyms include calculated, conscious, cultivated and deliberate.

How do you use "Automatic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Automatic" in a sentence: "Carl's automatic use of the brakes narrowly averted a collision"; "liked the ease of an automatic floor cleaner".

Is "Automatic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Automatic" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Automatic" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Automatic" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.