What does automatic mean?
Word: Automatic
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Automatic means working by itself without a person needing to control it, like an automatic door that opens when you walk up to it.
Antonyms: manual
How do you spell automatic?
Syllables: au - to - mat - ic
Tricky part: It starts with au, not o: the 'aw' sound at the start is spelt a-u, as in autumn.
Watch out for: otomatic, awtomatic, automattic
Memory tip: Auto means self. An automatic machine works by itSELF, and auto- starts many such words: automobile, autograph.
Automatic in a sentence
Example 1: The automatic doors at the mall slid open as we walked in.
Example 2: Our new washing machine is fully automatic.
Example 3: Saying thank you has become automatic for my little sister.
Fun Fact
The word comes from the Greek automatos, which meant acting by itself.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
autom_tic
a) o
b) i
c) e
d) a
Show answer
d) a. The vowel after autom is an a.
Word Champ
In which option are the given words arranged in alphabetical order?
1. autumn 2. automatic 3. author
a) 321
b) 312
c) 231
d) 123
Show answer
a) 321. All share aut, so look at the fourth letter: h, then o, then u.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) fantastic
b) automatik
c) plastic
d) elastic
Show answer
b) automatik. Like plastic and fantastic, automatic ends in -ic.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
mitacotua
a) able to run without a person
b) needing a lot of people to work it
c) very old and no longer used
d) made by hand with great care
Show answer
a) able to run without a person. Sorted out, the nine letters make automatic.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is the best example of something automatic?
a) a tap that you twist open by hand
b) a jug that you tip to pour water
c) a hand pump you push up and down
d) a tap that starts when hands come near
Show answer
d) a tap that starts when hands come near
2. Blinking is automatic for us. This means we...
a) do it without thinking
b) do it very slowly
c) do it once a day
d) do it only when told
Show answer
a) do it without thinking
