mechanical
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for mechanical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to machines or the physical forces and motion they involve.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
nonmechanical
How to use mechanical
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
mechanical engineer
mechanical failure
mechanical response
Etymology
From Middle English mechanical, from Old French mecanique, from Latin mechanicus, from Greek mēkhanikós.
Full origin of mechanical →Frequently asked questions
What does “mechanical” mean?
The word “mechanical” means relating to machines or the physical forces and motion they involve. In plain terms, relating to machines or machine-like movement, or done in a robotic, thoughtless way.
How do you pronounce “mechanical”?
“Mechanical” is pronounced muh-KA-nih-kuhl (/məˈkænəkəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mechanical” in a sentence?
Here is “mechanical” used in a sentence: “The factory relies on mechanical arms to assemble the parts.”
What part of speech is “mechanical”?
“Mechanical” is an adjective.
Where does the word “mechanical” come from?
The word “mechanical” comes from Latin. From Middle English mechanical, from Old French mecanique, from Latin mechanicus, from Greek mēkhanikós.
Is “mechanical” a common word?
“Mechanical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mechanical” have?
“Mechanical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to machines or the physical forces and motion they involve.
What is the difference between "mechanical" and "automatic"?
"Mechanical" relates to machines and the physical forces and motion they involve, or to actions done without real thought. "Automatic" means happening by itself without direct human control. An action can be mechanical, in the sense of routine and unthinking, without being automatic in the machine sense.
What is the difference between "mechanical" and "electrical"?
"Mechanical" refers to machines and the physical forces, moving parts, and motion involved. "Electrical" refers specifically to electricity and electric current. A mechanical fault involves moving parts, while an electrical fault involves wiring or power.
