WordGarden.iomechanically
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /mɪkˈænɪkli/
US
- /məˈkænɪkli/
Meanings
Adverb
by machine or with mechanical equipment rather than by hand
in terms of mechanics, physical forces, or mechanical operation
in an automatic, routine, or unfeeling way
Beyond the definition
To do something mechanically means to do it automatically, often without much thought or feeling. It can describe an action that feels routine, almost like a person is moving through the steps like a machine. You might mechanically wave at someone, mechanically answer a question, or mechanically type while thinking about something else. It can also describe the way something works: if something happens mechanically, it happens through physical parts and movement, like the gears inside a clock or the parts of a simple machine.
The word "mechanically" describes actions or processes that are done in a way that resembles a machine: automatic, repeated, and often without much feeling or careful thought. It often suggests that someone is acting from habit, following the same steps again and again instead of acting with real attention or emotion. For example, "He mechanically signed his name hundreds of times a day as a clerk" suggests that he had done it so often that the action had become automatic.
"Mechanically" can also describe how something functions. In this sense, it means by means of physical parts, force, or movement. A machine can work mechanically through gears, levers, springs, or other moving pieces. For example, "The door opened mechanically with a loud click" suggests that it opened by a physical system rather than by a person simply pushing it open by hand.
Sometimes the word has a slightly negative feeling because it can suggest a lack of warmth, interest, or originality. If someone smiles mechanically, the smile may seem forced or empty. If a student gives a mechanically learned answer, the answer may be correct, but it may sound like something repeated from memory without real understanding. Still, the word is not always negative. In technical or practical contexts, it may simply describe the method by which something operates.
The word is closely related to "mechanical" and "mechanism," both of which are connected to machines and the way parts work together. So when you see "mechanically," think either of a person doing something automatically, with little feeling, or of something happening through a physical system of moving parts.
Examples
- 1
Toy movement
The old toy moves mechanically when you wind the key.
- 2
Construction
The panels are mechanically fastened to the frame, so they can be removed later.
- 3
Tired work
After three hours of work, I was typing mechanically and barely thinking about the words.
- 4
Customer service
She smiled mechanically at each customer, but she was clearly exhausted.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Rehearsed apology
He went through the apology mechanically, as if he had practiced it too many times.
- Patterngo through + task mechanically
do it without much feeling or attention
See also
Similar
- automatically
- robotically
- unthinkingly
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- answer mechanically
- repeat mechanically
- smile mechanically
- go through the motions
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- mechanicallyadverb