au·to·mat·ic
ˌȯ-tə-ˈma-tik 
1
a
: largely or wholly involuntary
b
: acting or done spontaneously or unconsciously
the automatic applause of the audience
c
: done or produced as if by machine : mechanical
the answers were automatic
2
: having a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism
an automatic transmission
3
of a firearm
: firing repeatedly until the trigger is released
1
: a machine or apparatus that operates automatically
especially
: an automatic firearm
2
a
: an automatic transmission
a car with a three-speed automatic
b
: an automobile with an automatic transmission
Is your car an automatic or a manual?
3
American football
: audible
Synonyms
Examples of automatic in a Sentence
Adjective
Without thinking, he gave an automatic reply.
She always has an automatic smile for everyone.
Noun
Will your next car be a manual or an automatic?
Recent Examples on the Web
Ali Faccenda, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Worth mentioning: After UT received more than 70,000 applications this year, the university tightened its enrollment requirements, approving only the top 5% of each high school senior class for automatic admission for applicants in 2026.
—Asher Price, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Jaina Grey, WIRED, 8 Apr. 2024
In the car world, automatics are practical and simple for the majority of commuting drivers, but enthusiasts often prefer the extra control and involvement of a clutch and a stick-shift.
—New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for automatic 
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Adjective
Some would offer only a few settings and didn’t have an automatic shutoff timer option either.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Worth mentioning: After UT received more than 70,000 applications this year, the university tightened its enrollment requirements, approving only the top 5% of each high school senior class for automatic admission for applicants in 2026.
—Asher Price, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Noun
Keep an eye out for my review of the automatics soon.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 8 Apr. 2024
In the car world, automatics are practical and simple for the majority of commuting drivers, but enthusiasts often prefer the extra control and involvement of a clutch and a stick-shift.
—New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for automatic
Dictionary Entries Near automatic
Cite this Entry
“Automatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/automatic. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
automatic
1 of 2 adjective
au·to·mat·ic
ˌȯt-ə-ˈmat-ik
1
a
: largely or wholly involuntary
especially
: reflex sense 2
b
: acting or done without conscious thought or intention
an automatic smile
2
: having devices or mechanisms that permit operation without help from a person
automatic washer
3
: firing repeatedly until the trigger is released
an automatic rifle
automatic
2 of 2 noun
: an automatic machine or device
especially
: an automatic firearm
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