English Reference
Adverb

automatically

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US /ˌɔtəˈmætɪkɫi/ UK /ˌɔːtəmˈætɪkli/ au·to·mat·i·cal·ly

adv.without needing a person to do anything. You use this when a machine or a process works by itself.

adv.by means of a mechanism or process that functions independently of external human intervention.


SIMPLE

The lights turn off automatically when you leave the room.

CONTEXTUAL

The software saves your work automatically every five minutes to prevent data loss during a crash.

COMPLEX

While manual overrides are available for emergencies, the system is designed to adjust the pressure automatically based on real-time sensor data.

Usage

Typically placed after the verb it modifies or at the end of the clause.

Usage automatically translate · automatically produce

Under the new system, when the system flagged behavior as “abnormal”, the user would be automatically suspended, pending a review.

The Guardian· 13 Aug 2026

Vinted - which has refunded Bekyarova-Delev since the BBC contacted it - said experts had looked at the items and that while "original documents may be reviewed, they do not automatically guarantee successful verification".

BBC News· 11 Aug 2026

Common in history writing


From automatic + -ally.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated