automatic

Working by itself, without a person having to control each action.

• The shop has automatic doors.
• An automatic timer switches the lights off.
• We installed an automatic watering system in the garden.

Similar words: self-operating

Opposites: manual

Common phrases: automatic door, automatic washing machine, automatic control, automatic watering system

Done without thinking, often because you have done it many times before.

• Her smile was automatic.
• He gave an automatic reply without looking up.
• With practice, these movements become automatic.

Similar words: unconscious, instinctive

Opposites: deliberate

Common phrases: automatic reaction, automatic response

A car that changes gears by itself, or the system that does this.

• I drive an automatic.
• She bought an automatic last week.
• This automatic changes gears very smoothly.

Similar words: automatic car, automatic transmission

Opposites: manual

Common phrases: drive an automatic, buy an automatic

A gun that keeps firing for as long as its trigger is held down.

• The soldier carried an automatic.
• He fired the automatic in short bursts.
• Several automatics were found in the vehicle.

Similar words: automatic weapon, machine gun

Common phrases: fire an automatic, loaded automatic

A handgun that loads the next bullet itself but fires once each time the trigger is pressed.

• The detective carried an automatic.
• She removed the automatic from its holster.
• The officers exchanged their revolvers for automatics.

Similar words: semiautomatic pistol

Common phrases: carry an automatic, small automatic