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

The dress had a gold backdrop with plenty of metallic hues blended into the swirling pattern, varying shades of silver appearing along the fabric for a gorgeous foil-like motif. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026

Non-metallic shells insulate metallic components, conductive feet provide grounding, and automatic cutoffs monitor temperature. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

The tech-dystopian Washington of Minority Report (2002) is bleached in cold blues and metallic noir shadows. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026

Investigators blamed the nozzle problem’s first occurrence in 2024 on a manufacturing defect in an insulator meant to protect the nozzle’s metallic structure from the rocket’s superheated exhaust. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026

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
• taluk
• bimetallic
• nonmetallic

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