automatically
gb/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪkli/ us/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪkli/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
property
1
Without human effort or control
Happening by itself, without a person making it happen.
Usage pattern:
[something] happens automatically
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'automatically' with 'immediately'. 'Automatically' means without human control, not just quickly.
Synonyms
mechanically (Emphasizes operation by a machine rather than by a person.)
|
spontaneously (Suggests occurring by itself, sometimes without planning, but can imply living things.)
Antonyms
manually (Done by hand or with direct human effort instead of by itself.)
Collocations
work automatically
|update automatically
|open automatically
|save automatically
Themes
technology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The doors close automatically after five seconds.
- Your files will be saved automatically every few minutes.
- The payment is deducted automatically from your account each month.
- The software updates automatically when connected to the internet.
Learner examples
- The door opens automatically when you walk near it.
- The computer turns off automatically at night.
- The light comes on automatically when it is dark.
adverb
B1
relation
2
As a natural or expected result
Because of something else, without needing extra action.
Usage pattern:
[something] automatically means [something else]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the mechanical sense, but here it refers to natural or logical results rather than machines or systems.
Synonyms
inevitably (Focuses on the unavoidable nature of the result.)
|
necessarily (Emphasizes logical necessity of the outcome.)
Antonyms
optionally (Suggests that the result is not required or inevitable.)
Collocations
automatically mean
|automatically follow
|automatically lead to
Themes
logic
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Being rich doesn’t automatically make you happy.
- Good grades don’t automatically guarantee success.
- A high score automatically qualifies you for the final round.
Learner examples
- Money does not automatically make people happy.
- A big house does not automatically mean a good life.
- Winning one game does not automatically mean you will win all games.
Grammar
Dictionary form
automatically
IPA
GB/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪkli/
US/ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪkli/
Syllables & stress
auto - mat - ic - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: automatically
- Plural: automaticallies
Word family
Expressions
almost automatically
1/ˈɔlmˌoʊst ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪkli/
fixed phrase
With little conscious thought or effort
Happening with very little thinking or control from a person.
Examples
- When the alarm rang, she got up almost automatically.
- He smiled almost automatically when he saw the puppy.
happen automatically
1/hˈæpən ˌɔtoʊmˈætɪkli/
fixed phrase
Occur without human control
To happen by itself, without someone making it happen.
Examples
- The program will happen automatically after installation.
- Once set up, the updates happen automatically.