# automatic vs automaton

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### automatic
*adjective · IPA /ˌɔː.təˈmæt.ɪk/ · frequency rank #3,862*
Capable of operating without external control or intervention.

### automaton
*noun · IPA /ɔːˈtɒmətən/ · frequency rank #42,534*
A machine or robot designed to follow a precise sequence of instructions.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/automatic-vs-automaton