autopilot
gb/ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/ us/ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
B2
entity
1
automatic aircraft control system
a system that flies a plane automatically
Usage pattern:
[someone] engages/disengages [the] autopilot
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *in autopilot* for the figurative meaning; standard English is usually *on autopilot*.
Synonyms
automatic pilot (A common alternative term, often in more formal or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
manual control (Direct control by a human rather than an automatic system.)
Collocations
engage the autopilot
|disengage the autopilot
|autopilot system
|autopilot mode
|fly on autopilot
|autopilot failure
|autopilot settings
|autopilot controls
|autopilot assisted
|autopilot was engaged
Themes
aviation
|technology
|transport
Examples
- Once the plane reached cruising altitude, the captain engaged the autopilot.
- The crew disconnected the autopilot to land in strong crosswinds.
- A fault in the autopilot system triggered an alarm in the cockpit.
Learner examples
- The pilot turned on the autopilot.
- The autopilot helps fly the plane.
Noun
B2
state
2
doing things without thinking
a way of doing things automatically, without thinking
Usage pattern:
go into autopilot; operate on autopilot
Common mistake:
This meaning is most common with the preposition *on* (e.g., *on autopilot*), not *in*.
Synonyms
routine (Emphasizes repeated habits, not necessarily lack of awareness.)
|
automatic mode (A close metaphor that highlights acting without conscious effort.)
Antonyms
mindfulness (Active awareness and attention to what you are doing.)
|
deliberation (Careful, conscious decision-making rather than habit.)
Collocations
go into autopilot
|slip into autopilot
|run on autopilot
|operate on autopilot
|be on autopilot
|switch to autopilot
|work on autopilot
|drive on autopilot
|live on autopilot
|spend the day on autopilot
Themes
daily_life
|emotions
|psychology
Examples
- After the long week, I felt like I was on autopilot the whole weekend.
- He drove home on autopilot and barely remembered the trip.
- When the meeting started, she went into autopilot and nodded along.
Learner examples
- Sometimes I work on autopilot.
- I was tired, so I went into autopilot.
Noun
C1
entity
3
automatic mode in devices or vehicles
an automatic setting that does the work for you
Usage pattern:
turn on/off [the] autopilot; put [something] on autopilot
Common mistake:
In vehicles, *autopilot* does not always mean fully self-driving; it may still require active human supervision.
Synonyms
automation (Broader term for making processes automatic, not necessarily a single feature.)
|
self-driving mode (Often used for cars; can imply more autonomy than some 'autopilot' systems provide.)
Antonyms
manual mode (Requires direct human control instead of automated operation.)
Collocations
car autopilot
|driver-assistance autopilot
|autopilot feature
|autopilot function
|autopilot setting
|enable autopilot
|disable autopilot
|autopilot update
|autopilot mode
|autopilot for [task]
Themes
technology
|computing
|transport
|business
Examples
- The new software keeps routine reports running on autopilot.
- He enabled the car’s autopilot on the highway but kept his hands near the wheel.
- We put the weekly email reminders on autopilot to save time.
Learner examples
- I turned on autopilot for the updates.
- The car has an autopilot feature.
Grammar
Dictionary form
autopilot
IPA
GB/ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
US/ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
Syllables & stress
auto - pi - lot (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (auto)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: autopilot
- Plural: autopilot
Word family
Expressions
disengage the autopilot
1/dɪsɪŋɡˈeɪd͡ʒ ðə ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
fixed phrase
technical
turn off aircraft autopilot
to turn off the autopilot
Examples
- The crew disengaged the autopilot to begin the approach.
- An alert sounded when the autopilot disengaged unexpectedly.
engage the autopilot
1/ɪŋɡˈeɪd͡ʒ ðə ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
fixed phrase
technical
turn on aircraft autopilot
to turn on the autopilot
Examples
- At 10,000 feet, the pilot engaged the autopilot.
- Company procedures require two pilots to confirm before engaging the autopilot.
go on autopilot
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈɔn ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
idiom
start acting automatically
to start doing something without thinking
Examples
- When I’m stressed, I go on autopilot and stop listening properly.
- After the first few minutes, he went on autopilot and repeated his usual points.
on autopilot
1/ˈɔn ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
idiom
informal
Doing something automatically without thinking
Doing something without thinking because you have done it many times before.
Examples
- I drove home on autopilot after work.
- He answered the questions on autopilot without really listening.
on autopilot
1/ˈɔn ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
idiom
acting without conscious attention
not really thinking while you do something
Examples
- I answered emails on autopilot and missed an important message.
- She smiled and made small talk on autopilot.
- By Friday afternoon, the whole team was on autopilot.
put [something] on autopilot
1/pˈʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɔn ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
fixed phrase
make a process run automatically
to make something run by itself
Examples
- We put the billing process on autopilot with automatic reminders.
- After setting up the savings plan, she put her finances on autopilot.
- Once the routine is established, you can put training sessions on autopilot.
switch to autopilot
1/swˈɪt͡ʃ tə ˈɔtoʊpˌaɪlət/
fixed phrase
shift into automatic control
to start using automatic control
Examples
- As soon as the routine starts, my brain switches to autopilot.
- The system switched to autopilot to keep the vehicle centered in the lane.