automate
gb/ˈɔtoʊmˌeɪt/ us/ˈɔtoʊmˌeɪt/
B2
English
~ 6600
automatizál
VERB
B2
1
automatizál
B2
Usage pattern:
to automate [a task / a process / a system]
The company plans to automate most of its customer support using chatbots.
A vállalat azt tervezi, hogy ügyfélszolgálata nagy részét chatbotokkal automatizálja.
We automated the billing process to reduce errors and save time.
Automatizáltuk a számlázási folyamatot, hogy csökkentsük a hibák számát és időt takarítsunk meg.
Many factories have automated their production lines to stay competitive.
Our goal is to automate repetitive tasks so employees can focus on creative work.
They are working on software to automate data entry from paper forms.
Learner examples
The factory wants to automate part of its work.
A gyár automatizálni szeretné a munka egy részét.
We use this program to automate sending emails to customers.
Ezt a programot az ügyfeleknek szóló e-mailek kiküldésének automatizálására használjuk.
The bank automated many simple jobs at the counter.
They automated the test so a computer runs it every night.
She is trying to automate her daily report using a script.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"make it automatic"* instead of *"automate it"*. Use **automate** as a verb with an object: *"We automated the system"*, not *"The system became automate"*. Also avoid confusing **automate** (verb) with **automatic** (adjective): *"an automatic system"* vs *"to automate a system"*.
Meaning
use machines/software to run a process
Collocations
automate a process
|automate tasks
|fully automate
|automate production
|automate workflows
|automate customer service
Synonyms
mechanize (Often used for using machines in physical or industrial work; slightly more about hardware than software.)
|
computerize (Focuses on using computers specifically, often for information and office work rather than physical tasks.)
|
streamline (Means making a process simpler and more efficient; it can include automation but does not have to.)
Antonyms
manualize (Less common, but describes making something manual; the opposite of using machines or software.)
|
de-automate (Rare and mainly technical, but refers to removing automation so people do the work again.)
|
do by hand (Everyday phrase contrasting with letting machines or software do the work.)
Themes
technology
|business
|work
|industry
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To use machines or computer programs to do work that people did before.
To design or change a process so that it is carried out by machines or computer software instead of by people.
Grammar
Dictionary form
automate
IPA
GB/ˈɔtoʊmˌeɪt/
US/ˈɔtoʊmˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
auto - mate (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (auto)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: automate
- 3rd Person Singular: automates
- Present Participle: automating
- Past: automated
Word family
Forms
Core family
Related words
automator
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unautomated
adjective
Advanced or less common
automatization
noun
automatize
verb
Expressions
automate away
1/ˈɔtoʊmˌeɪt əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
eliminate something through automation
To remove work that people do by using machines or software instead, so people no longer need to do that work.
Examples
- The new software is designed to automate away many routine accounting tasks.
- Some fear that artificial intelligence will automate away a large number of office jobs.
be automated out of a job
1/bˈi ˈɔtoʊmˌeɪtɪd ˈaʊt əv ə d͡ʒˈɑb/
fixed phrase
lose your job to automation
To lose your job because machines or computer programs now do your work.
Examples
- Many workers worry they will be automated out of a job as robots become cheaper.
- He was almost automated out of a job, but the company moved him into a new role instead.