gunmetal

noun

gun·​met·​al ˈgən-ˌme-tᵊl 

1

: a metal used for guns

specifically : a bronze formerly much used as a material for cannon

2

: an alloy or metal treated to imitate nearly black tarnished copper-alloy gunmetal

3

: a bluish-gray color

Examples of gunmetal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There, the star chose a gunmetal-like McQueen gown from Sean McGirr’s pre-fall 2026 collection. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 July 2026

The finish read as dark metallic silver — closer to gunmetal than chrome — and a curved seam line was visible from the toe box back toward the side quarter. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 11 May 2026

Available in three outdoorsy finishes—bronze, gunmetal, and seafoam—this solar light bird feeder does a lot of jobs for such a little object. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026

Silver hardware and leather jackets are a true match, but feel free to play with other metal finishes like gold and gunmetal. — Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gunmetal

• acetyl
• bimetal
• nonmetal
• resettle
• teakettle
• unsettle
• betel
• cetyl
• kettle
• metal
• mettle
• nettle