metallic

adjective

me·​tal·​lic mə-ˈta-lik How to pronounce metallic (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or being a metal
b
: made of or containing a metal
c
: having properties of a metal
2
: yielding metal
3
: resembling metal: such as
a
: having iridescent and reflective properties
metallic paint
b
: having an acrid quality like that of metal
the tea has a metallic taste
4
a
: having a harsh resonance : grating
a metallic voice
b
: having an impersonal or mechanical quality
a metallic smile
metallically adverb

Examples of metallic in a Sentence

We chose a paint with a metallic luster. The medicine has a metallic taste. Silver is a metallic element. the metallic screech of the car's brakes
Recent Examples on the Web Lohan paired the dress — which also had a slight slit, exposing Lohan's ankle-strap heels — with a black clutch with more metallic details, and a final touch of sparkle with a pair of statement drop earrings. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Also important is the shiny finish, often metallic. Selene Oliva, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2024 Trending on Billboard The screams become truly deafening when, roughly 10 minutes later, the curtain opens to reveal the diminutive 55-year-old Australian pop star clad entirely in metallic gold. Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 29 Feb. 2024 Framed in metallic gold, the World Market Aurora Coffee Table was inspired by the art deco style and is easy to incorporate in many modern homes. Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Feb. 2024 Irulan is often seen in smaller, metallic headpieces, which West likens to armor. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024 Finish it off with a contrasting metallic pump or a no-fuss pair of slip-ons. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024 This experiment, involving a compact box clad in metallic foil and mounted on the spacecraft, aims to evaluate the technology's effectiveness in insulating Nova-C's cryogenic propulsion tank against the stark temperatures of space. Cathy Hackl, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Meteoroids can be rocky, metallic or a combination of both, according to NASA. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metallic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of metallic was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near metallic

Cite this Entry

“Metallic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metallic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

metallic

adjective
me·​tal·​lic mə-ˈtal-ik How to pronounce metallic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a metal
2
: containing or made of metal
3
: having a harsh or rasping sound
a metallic voice

Medical Definition

metallic

adjective
me·​tal·​lic mə-ˈtal-ik How to pronounce metallic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or being a metal
2
: made of or containing a metal
3
: having properties of a metal
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!