automatic
gb/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪk/ us/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪk/
A2
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Working without manual control
Working by itself without someone controlling it.
Usage pattern:
an automatic [device/machine/system]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'automatic' with 'autonomous'; 'automatic' usually refers to a programmed or mechanical process, not independent decision-making.
Synonyms
self-operating (Highlights that no human intervention is needed at all.)
Antonyms
manual (Requires direct human operation or control.)
Collocations
automatic door
|automatic transmission
|automatic response
|automatic payment
Themes
technology
|daily life
|transportation
Examples
- The building has automatic doors that open when you approach.
- My car has an automatic transmission, so I don't need to shift gears manually.
- The system sends an automatic email when your order ships.
Learner examples
- The lights are automatic and turn on at night.
- My watch is automatic and does not need batteries.
- The machine makes coffee automatically.
adjective
B1
property
2
Done without thinking
Happening without thinking about it.
Usage pattern:
an automatic [reaction/response/reflex]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'automatic' in this sense with 'mechanical' in the physical device sense; here it refers to mental or bodily reactions.
Synonyms
instinctive (Emphasizes that the action is driven by instinct rather than conscious thought.)
Antonyms
deliberate (Done with careful thought and intention.)
Collocations
automatic reaction
|automatic reflex
|automatic assumption
Themes
psychology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- Smiling when you see a baby is almost automatic.
- His automatic response was to say 'thank you'.
- Blinking is an automatic reflex.
Learner examples
- My automatic answer was yes.
- It is automatic to stand up when the teacher comes in.
- Blinking is an automatic action.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Self-loading firearm
A gun that keeps firing while you hold the trigger.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'automatic' as a noun with the adjective meaning; context usually makes it clear.
Synonyms
machine gun (A common term for fully automatic firearms, especially military ones.)
Antonyms
manual firearm (Requires reloading or cocking between shots.)
Collocations
fully automatic
|automatic rifle
Themes
military
|technology
|law
Examples
- The soldiers carried automatics during the mission.
- Owning a fully automatic is restricted in many countries.
- He fired an automatic into the air.
Learner examples
- The police found an automatic in his car.
- An automatic can fire many bullets fast.
- Many countries do not allow people to own automatics.
Grammar
Dictionary form
automatic
IPA
GB/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪk/
US/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
auto - mat - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: automatic
Noun
- Base: automatic
- Plural: automatics
Word family
Expressions
on automatic pilot
1/ˈɔn ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪk pˈaɪlət/
idiom
informal
Acting without conscious thought
Doing something without thinking because you have done it many times before.
Examples
- I drove home on automatic pilot and barely remember the trip.
- She answered the questions on automatic pilot after so much practice.
automatic transmission
1/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪk tɹænzmˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Self-shifting car gearbox
A system in a car that changes gears by itself.
Examples
- My new car has an automatic transmission, so it's easier to drive in traffic.
- Automatic transmissions are common in the United States.
automatic transmission
2/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪk tɹænzmˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Self-shifting vehicle power system
A car system that changes gears by itself without the driver moving a gear stick.
Examples
- She prefers cars with automatic transmissions.
- Automatic transmissions are common in the United States.