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automatically
/ˌɔːtəˈmætɪkli/
without human intervention
The lights turn on automatically when it gets dark.
The lights activate on their own without needing a person to switch them.
general
in a way that happens without conscious thought or effort
She automatically reached for her phone when it buzzed.
She instinctively grabbed her phone upon hearing the vibration.
The doors open automatically when you approach.
The doors detect your presence and open without manual pushing.
Often describes reflexes, machine functions, or habitual actions.
Technology
technical
as a result of a predetermined process or system
The software updates automatically every Sunday at 2 AM.
The system performs updates without user initiation.
Payments are deducted automatically from your account.
The transaction occurs without manual confirmation.
Common in programming, finance, and engineering contexts.
Collocations
automatically adjustmodify without manual inputautomatically generatedcreated by a systemautomatically renewextend a subscription without action
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Do not pair 'automatically' with verbs that already imply automation (e.g., 'automatically automate' is incorrect). Instead, use 'automatically' with verbs like 'update,' 'adjust,' or 'generate.'
Gold Rule
Precision in technical contexts
In programming or engineering, 'automatically' should specify the trigger (e.g., 'The script runs automatically when the file is saved,' not 'The script runs automatically').
Word Origin
From Latin *automaticus* (acting of itself), via French *automatique*, ultimately from Greek *automatos* (self-moving). The adverbial suffix *-ly* was added in English.
Usage Notes
Avoid using 'automatically' to describe emotions or subjective states (e.g., not 'I automatically love puppies'). Prefer 'instinctively' or 'naturally' in such cases. In technical writing, it often implies efficiency or reliability.
Word Breakdown
auto-
self, by itself
prefix-matic
having the quality of
suffix-ally
in a manner of
suffixEnglish Dictionary