automat

/ˈɔtəmæt/

//ˈɔtəmæt// noun

"automat" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“automat” is an uncommon English word, ranked #95,709 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#95,709
frequency rank, English
7
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A vending machine for food.

Key facts for automat
PropertyValue
Headwordautomat
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɔtəmæt/
Letters7
Frequency rank#95,709
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “automat” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). automat lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for automat is 7 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈɔtəmæt/. Corpus data places it at rank #95,709 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 2 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

No generated misspelling entries exist for automat in our index, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: Borrowed from German Automat, as the system was originally developed in Germany in the late 19th c. Doublet of automaton. The correct English form is automat, spelled A-U-T-O-M-A-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    A vending machine for food.
  2. 2
    A cafeteria consisting of vending machines.

Etymology

Borrowed from German Automat, as the system was originally developed in Germany in the late 19th c. Doublet of automaton.

This word in other languages

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "automat"?
"automat" is spelled A-U-T-O-M-A-T. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɔtəmæt/.
What does "automat" mean?
As a noun, "automat" means: A vending machine for food.
How do you pronounce "automat"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "automat" is /ˈɔtəmæt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "automat"?
Borrowed from German Automat, as the system was originally developed in Germany in the late 19th c. Doublet of automaton. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “automat”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is A-U-T-O-M-A-T - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈɔtəmæt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list