Automatically Meaning
Automatically Definition & Usage
In a manner that happens by itself without human intervention or deliberate action.
Examples
- "The doors open automatically when you approach."
- "The lights turn off automatically after an hour."
- "Emails are sorted automatically into different folders."
- "Your computer updates its software automatically every week."
- "The coffee machine brews a cup automatically as soon as you press the button."
In a way that is instinctive or reflexive, without thought or conscious intention.
Examples
- "He automatically reached for his phone when it buzzed."
- "She automatically smiled when she saw the surprise."
- "The dog automatically ran to the door when it heard the bell."
- "His hand automatically went to his pocket for his keys."
- "They automatically assumed the meeting was canceled because of the rain."
Cultural Context
The word 'automatically' often carries a sense of modernity, efficiency, and technological progress, especially in the context of automation in industries, home appliances, and digital devices. It evokes the idea of tasks being handled by systems or machines, reducing the need for human effort and intervention. The cultural context reflects our growing reliance on automation in daily life, from smart homes to self-driving cars.
The Automated Response
Story
The Automated Response
James had always been fascinated by automation. Working as a software engineer, he spent most of his days designing systems that could operate automatically, freeing people from mundane tasks. One day, while walking into his office, he noticed something strange. His email inbox had automatically sorted itself into neat folders, organizing everything from work emails to personal messages without him having to lift a finger. He smiled at the thought of how much easier his life had become due to technology. It wasn’t just his emails—his entire home was set up to work automatically. The lights turned on as soon as he stepped inside, the thermostat adjusted the temperature based on his preferences, and even his coffee machine brewed a cup for him each morning as soon as his alarm went off. But it wasn’t just technology that James had come to rely on. He realized that many of his actions had become automatic as well. As soon as he woke up, his hand automatically reached for his phone, checking the time and then scrolling through notifications. It wasn’t conscious anymore; it had simply become a reflex. At lunch, he met with his friend Sophie, who was an artist. They sat at a café, and James couldn’t help but notice how she automatically smiled whenever someone passed by her table. It was a natural, effortless response to the world around her. 'You know, I’ve been thinking about automation,' James said, taking a sip of his coffee. 'In my work, I design things that work automatically—machines that do the thinking for us. But I’m starting to wonder if we also have automatic responses ourselves. Like when you smile at people. It’s just automatic, right?' Sophie laughed. 'I suppose it is. Sometimes I do it without even realizing it.' James thought about it for a moment. Automation, whether in machines or in humans, seemed to be everywhere. It made life more efficient, but it also made him wonder how much of his life was happening without any real thought behind it. 'Perhaps the real challenge,' he mused, 'is figuring out when to stop letting things happen automatically and start being more intentional.' As they parted ways, James felt a newfound appreciation for the balance between automation and human effort. Technology could make life easier, but it was the moments of conscious decision-making that truly defined who he was. That evening, as he walked home, James reached for his phone to check the time—but this time, he did so deliberately, consciously aware of the action. It was a small step, but a step away from letting everything happen automatically.
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