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automated teller machine

High
UK/ˌɔː.tə.meɪ.tɪd ˈtel.ə mə.ʃiːn/US/ˌɑː.t̬ə.meɪ.t̬ɪd ˈtel.ɚ mə.ʃiːn/

Formal/Technical, though the abbreviation 'ATM' is used in all registers.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A specialized computer terminal that allows a bank customer to perform basic financial transactions, such as cash withdrawals and balance checks, without human assistance.

Any self-service banking kiosk or similar technology providing automated financial or retail services.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The full term is often used for emphasis, legal/contractual contexts, or initial definitions. The abbreviated form 'ATM' is overwhelmingly dominant in spoken and most written English.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

The full term is equally formal in both varieties. 'Cash machine' and 'cashpoint' are common British alternatives. 'ATM' is the dominant abbreviation in AmE and is very common in BrE.

Connotations

In BrE, 'cash machine' is neutral, 'cashpoint' (a trademark of Lloyds Bank) is common but proprietary, and 'hole in the wall' is informal. In AmE, 'ATM' is entirely neutral.

Frequency

In everyday speech, AmE uses 'ATM' almost exclusively. BrE uses a mix of 'cash machine', 'cashpoint', and 'ATM'. The full phrase is infrequent in casual speech in both varieties.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
use an automated teller machineautomated teller machine (ATM) cardlocated at an automated teller machine
medium
access an automated teller machinenetwork of automated teller machinestransaction at an automated teller machine
weak
nearby automated teller machinesecure automated teller machinenew automated teller machine

Grammar

Valency Patterns

to withdraw money from an automated teller machineto insert one's card into the automated teller machinethe automated teller machine is out of service

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

cash dispenser

Neutral

ATMcash machinebank machine

Weak

bank terminalself-service terminal

Vocabulary

Antonyms

teller windowbank clerkhuman tellerbank counter

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “a hole in the wall (BrE, informal)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used in financial reports, banking contracts, and service descriptions. (e.g., 'Fees for using non-network automated teller machines will apply.')

Academic

Used in papers on economics, technology, or sociology discussing the impact of automation on the service sector.

Everyday

Rarely used in full; the abbreviation 'ATM' or regional terms like 'cash machine' are standard. (e.g., 'I need to find an ATM.')

Technical

Standard term in banking hardware manuals, software specifications, and financial network standards.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The bank is planning to ATM-ify more of its branches.
  • I need to ATM some cash before we go.

American English

  • He stopped to ATM some money for the tolls.
  • Can you ATM me twenty dollars?

adjective

British English

  • The automated-teller-machine network was down.
  • We discussed automated-teller-machine security features.

American English

  • She forgot her ATM card.
  • There's an ATM fee for out-of-network withdrawals.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • I got money from the automated teller machine.
  • The automated teller machine is near the bank.
B1
  • You need a card and a PIN to use an automated teller machine.
  • Is there an automated teller machine in this shopping centre?
B2
  • The contract specifies the charges for using an automated teller machine abroad.
  • Modern automated teller machines can also accept cash deposits.
C1
  • The proliferation of automated teller machines in the 1980s revolutionised personal banking.
  • The study analysed the socio-economic impact of automated teller machine placement in rural communities.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Automated = works by itself. Teller = a person who handles your money in a bank. Machine = a device. So, it's a 'self-service bank clerk device'.

Conceptual Metaphor

A BANK IS A VAULT / MONEY IS A LIQUID: You *access* your money, it can be *drained* from an account, the machine *dispenses* cash.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid direct calques like 'automatic machine of the teller'. The standard Russian term is 'банкомат' (bankomat).
  • Do not confuse 'teller' (кассир, работник банка) with 'to tell' (рассказывать).

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect: 'automatic teller machine' (common but technically inaccurate; 'automated' is correct).
  • Incorrect: 'I went to the automated teller.' (Omission of 'machine' is rare and sounds odd).
  • Spelling: 'automated teller machin' (missing 'e').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Before travelling, it's wise to withdraw local currency from an to avoid high airport exchange rates.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the FULL, correct term for 'ATM'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

'Automated teller machine' is the technically correct and original term, as it refers to a machine that performs tasks previously done by a human teller through automation. 'Automatic teller machine' is a very common variant, but purists and formal documents use 'automated'.

Use the full term in formal writing when first introducing the concept, in legal/contractual documents, or in technical specifications for clarity. In most other contexts, 'ATM' is perfectly acceptable.

In practical use, there is no difference. 'ATM' is the global standard term. 'Cash machine' is a common British English synonym. Some argue ATMs can do more than just dispense cash (e.g., deposits, transfers), but the terms are largely interchangeable.

Yes. The standard plural is 'automated teller machines' (e.g., 'The company installed three new automated teller machines'). The abbreviation is often pluralised as 'ATMs'.