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REFERENCE

automatic

adj. · n.
US //ˌɔtəˈmætɪk// UK //ˌɔːtəmˈætɪk// au·to·mat·ic
  1. 1 self-operating (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    working by itself without needing a person to control it.

    capable of operating without external control or manual intervention by means of mechanical or electronic programming.

    Example

    The automatic doors opened as soon as I walked toward the shop.

    Example

    The factory installed an automatic sorting system that identifies and redirects defective components without halting the main assembly line.
  2. 2 without thinking (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    done quickly and without thinking about it.

    performed as a reflex or out of habit, without conscious thought or deliberation.

    Example

    His reaction was automatic; he caught the glass before it hit the floor.

    Example

    After years of practice, the pianist's finger movements became entirely automatic, allowing her to focus on the emotional expression of the piece.
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  1. 3 certain or required (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    happening certainly because of a rule, law, or logical result.

    occurring as a necessary or inevitable consequence of a rule, law, or logical premise.

    Example

    If you break the rules three times, there is an automatic fine.

    Example

    Under the new policy, any employee who completes the advanced certification is entitled to an automatic salary increase at the start of the next quarter.
  2. 4 firearms (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    describing a gun that keeps firing as long as you hold the trigger.

    capable of firing multiple rounds continuously as long as the trigger is depressed.

    Example

    The soldiers were trained to use automatic weapons only in emergencies.

    Example

    The treaty strictly regulates the export of fully automatic rifles to prevent them from falling into the hands of non-state actors.
    • rapid fire
  3. 5 car transmission (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a car that changes gears by itself, or the system that does this.

    a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, or the transmission mechanism itself.

    Example

    I prefer driving an automatic when I am stuck in heavy city traffic.

    Example

    While purists often prefer a manual gearbox for the control it offers, modern automatics are frequently more fuel-efficient and shift faster than a human can.
    • automatic transmission
  4. 6 a type of gun (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    a pistol that loads itself after every shot.

    a semi-automatic or self-loading firearm, typically a pistol.

    Example

    The officer carried a standard issue .45 caliber automatic.

    Example

    The forensic report confirmed that the shell casings found at the scene were ejected from a small-caliber automatic.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewder.? Proto-Indo-European *sóder.? Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewder. Ancient Greek αὖ (aû) Ancient Greek τόν (tón)? Ancient Greek αὐτός (autós) Ancient Greek αὐτο- (auto-) Proto-Indo-European *men- Proto-Indo-European *mn̥tós Proto-Hellenic *mətós Ancient Greek αὐτόμᾰτος (autómătos) Ancient Greek αὐτόμᾰτον (autómăton)der. Classical Latin automatum New Latin automaticusbor. English automatic Borrowed from New Latin automaticus, from Classical Latin automatum (“automaton”) + -icus (adjectival suffix), from Ancient Greek αὐτόματον (autómaton), neuter of αὐτόματος (autómatos, “self-moving, moving of oneself, self-acting, spontaneous”), from αὐτός (autós, “self, myself”) + μέμαα (mémaa, “to wish eagerly, strive, yearn, desire”). The original pronunciation, apparently with stress on the second syllable, was after the ultimate Greek base.

Word family

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