# automatic

/ˌɔtəˈmætɪk/ (US) · /ˌɔːtəmˈætɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/automatic
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. self-operating

adjective · CEFR B1

working by itself without needing a person to control it.

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

- The automatic doors opened as soon as I walked toward the shop.
- The factory installed an automatic sorting system that identifies and redirects defective components without halting the main assembly line.

### 2. without thinking

adjective · CEFR B2

done quickly and without thinking about it.

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

- His reaction was automatic; he caught the glass before it hit the floor.
- After years of practice, the pianist's finger movements became entirely automatic, allowing her to focus on the emotional expression of the piece.

### 3. certain or required

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 4. firearms

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The soldiers were trained to use automatic weapons only in emergencies.
- The treaty strictly regulates the export of fully automatic rifles to prevent them from falling into the hands of non-state actors.

### 5. car transmission

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

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

### 6. a type of gun

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a pistol that loads itself after every shot.

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

- The officer carried a standard issue .45 caliber automatic.
- The forensic report confirmed that the shell casings found at the scene were ejected from a small-caliber automatic.

## Examples

- I prefer driving an automatic in heavy city traffic.
- Since she never learned to use a clutch, she decided to rent an automatic for her road trip across the country.
- While purists argue that manual transmissions offer superior control, the modern automatic has become so efficient that it now outperforms traditional gearboxes in both speed and fuel economy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.