metallic

adjective

me·​tal·​lic mə-ˈta-lik 

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

mə-ˈta-li-k(ə-)lē 

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

This year, the smooth, rounded, metallic gem is the third-largest diamond found so far, the park said. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

Lift the dark shade with warm whites and gold or brass metallic finishes, and capture the dreamlike quality of the era with ice blue and purple accents. —Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2025

Zoë Kravitz shows off her biceps and tattoos while sporting a metallic sunglasses while out and about in the East Village of N.Y.C. on August 11. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Engineers determined that a carbon composite insulator, or heat shield, inside the nozzle failed to protect the nozzle's metallic structure from the superheated exhaust coming from the booster. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin metallicus "of or relating to metal or mines," borrowed from Greek metallikós, from métallon "mine, metal entry 1" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for metallic

• italic
• alack
• gallic
• hallock
• malic
• malik
• phallic
• salic
• sialic
• bimetallic
• nonmetallic
• brachycephalic

Kids Definition

metallic

adjective

me·​tal·​lic mə-ˈtal-ik 

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 

1

: of, relating to, or being a metal

2

: made of or containing a metal

3

: having properties of a metal