autoplay

A1U1T1O1P3L1A1Y4

noun

Any software feature that plays (a video, a compact disc, etc.) automatically.

“Users may leave a Web site in frustration if a video autoplays when they visit.”

Less commonScrabble 13

Meanings

nounautoplay (uncountable)
  1. uncountablecomputingAny software feature that plays (a video, a compact disc, etc.) automatically.

    Adding controls, looping, and autoplay to an HTML5 video embed is simple.

    2011, Steve Fulton, Jeff Fulton, HTML5 Canvas, page 265
    3 more examples

    If you have not enabled autoplay, click on the CD icon that appears on your desktop, then click on 'CAM' to open the application.

    2001, E. Ernst, The desktop guide to complementary and alternative medicine, page 445

    You can even combine the features and make a looping autoplay DVD for a kiosk or self-running demo.

    2004, Tony Bove, Cheryl Rhodes, iLife '04 all-in-one desk reference for dummies, page 346

    Netflix’s autoplay feature has annoyed viewers for a while, but people became especially upset after the trailer for “Don’t F**k with Cats” surfaced on the homepage in December.

    2020 February 6, Alicia Lee, “Netflix is finally letting you stop previews from automatically playing. Here’s how to do it”, in CNN Business, archived from the original on 20 Dec 2025
  2. uncountablegamblingA slot machine feature that automatically performs a number of spins at the same bet amount.
verbautoplay (third-person singular simple present autoplays, present participle autoplaying, simple past and past participle autoplayed)

present singular third person autoplays · participle present autoplaying · participle past autoplayed · past autoplayed

  1. computingTo play automatically.

    Users may leave a Web site in frustration if a video autoplays when they visit.

    1 more example

    To disable previews from autoplaying on the homepage, you’ll need to sign into Netflix from a web browser, not your phone or tablet app.

    2020 February 6, Alicia Lee, “Netflix is finally letting you stop previews from automatically playing. Here’s how to do it”, in CNN Business, archived from the original on 20 Dec 2025

Origin

Translations

Afrikaans outospeel
  • outospeelsoftware feature
Portuguese reprodução automática
  • reprodução automáticasoftware feature
Cite this entry
APA

autoplay. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autoplay

MLA

“autoplay.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autoplay. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “autoplay,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/autoplay.

Source: autoplay on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.