mechanical

mechanical — adjective

1. using a motor or engine to do work, rather than relying on human or animal stren

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

using a motor or engine to do work, rather than relying on human or animal strength; also, having to do with machines, their parts, and how those parts function together.

Example

The old mechanical clock in the town square still keeps perfect time.

Lien studied mechanical engineering at the university for four years.

collocation: mechanical engineering

Common collocations
  • mechanical engineering
  • mechanical failure
  • mechanical device
  • mechanical system
  • mechanical parts
Synonyms
  • motorized

    specifically powered by a motor, usually for vehicles or tools

  • automated

    emphasis on self-operation without human control, often with computers

Antonyms
  • manual

    operated or done by hand, not by a machine

  • hand-operated

    requiring direct human effort to work

Grammar Patterns

mechanical + noun

be/become/seem + mechanical

Usage Note

Often used before a noun to describe equipment or systems that rely on moving parts and an engine or motor. Contrast with 'electronic' (which uses microchips) and 'manual' (which requires human effort).

Common Mistakes

My watch is manual, not battery-powered.
My watch is mechanical, not battery-powered.
'mechanical' means it runs on gears and springs; 'manual' means you have to wind it by hand.

2. concerning the way forces make objects move, stop, or change direction; related

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

concerning the way forces make objects move, stop, or change direction; related to the physics of motion and energy.

Example

The engineer calculated the mechanical advantage of the pulley system.

collocation: mechanical advantage

Devika learned about mechanical energy in her physics class today.

Common collocations
  • mechanical energy
  • mechanical advantage
  • mechanical force
  • mechanical movement
  • mechanical properties
Synonyms
  • kinetic

    specifically relating to motion, more technical

  • physical

    broader — relating to matter and energy, not limited to mechanics

Grammar Patterns

mechanical + noun

be + mechanical

Usage Note

This sense belongs to the field of mechanics and physics, describing how physical forces cause or affect motion. It does NOT refer to machines in general — use Sense 1 for that.

Common Mistakes

The car has a mechanical problem with its engine.' (when talking about broken machine parts)
The car has a mechanical problem with its engine.
This actually works for both Sense 1 and 2; to be precise, use Sense 1 for broken equipment and Sense 2 for concepts like force, energy, and motion.

3. done or said without conscious thought or emotion, as if following a preset rout

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

done or said without conscious thought or emotion, as if following a preset routine rather than making a fresh choice each time.

Example

Yasmin gave a mechanical reply without really listening to the question.

After hours of data entry, Eitan's movements became slow and mechanical.

predicative use: became + mechanical

Common collocations
  • mechanical reply
  • mechanical smile
  • mechanical voice
  • mechanical gesture
  • mechanical routine
Synonyms
  • automatic

    very similar, but can be neutral or positive (automatic reflexes); 'mechanical' suggests lifelessness

  • habitual

    done from habit, not necessarily with lack of feeling

  • robotic

    even stronger image of machinelike behaviour, more informal

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

mechanical + noun

seem/look/become + mechanical

Usage Note

Describes human behaviour that is automatic and lifeless, often from boredom, tiredness, or habit. It carries a slightly negative tone — suggesting a lack of genuine feeling or attention.

Common Mistakes

I gave a mechanical answer to prove I was paying attention.
I gave a thoughtful answer to prove I was paying attention.
'mechanical' means you were NOT paying attention; use 'thoughtful' or 'detailed' to show care.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

The core sense of 'mechanical' describes equipment that uses moving parts and an engine or motor. 'Motorized' is narrower — it specifically means something has a motor attached (a motorized wheelchair), while 'mechanical' can describe purely gear-and-spring systems without a motor (a mechanical watch). 'Automated' focuses on self-operation and often involves computer control, so an assembly line can be both mechanical and automated. 'Electronic' is a frequent point of confusion: an electronic device uses microchips and circuits, while a mechanical one uses gears, levers, and moving parts — a digital clock is electronic, a grandfather clock is mechanical. 'Manual' is the direct opposite, meaning it requires human muscle power rather than machine power.

motorizedautomatedelectronic ↗manual ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • purely mechanical
  • strictly mechanical
  • entirely mechanical

Phrases

  • mechanical engineering
  • mechanical failure
  • mechanical advantage

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'mechanicus' (relating to machines), borrowed through Greek 'mēkhanikos' (from 'mēkhanē' meaning device or contrivance). Entered English in the 15th century to describe skilled manual work, then shifted toward machine-related meanings during the Industrial Revolution.