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

Its aesthetic is an exemplar of the aughts running aesthetic, with synthetic overlays coursing over a mesh base and often appearing in metallic silver. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 May 2026

In London, Lily Collins appeared at the King's Trust 50th Anniversary Celebration in a gold metallic dress. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Here, style it with Maryam Nassir Zadeh’s metallic ballet pumps, The Elder Statesman’s chartreuse cashmere crewneck tied at the waist, and Staud’s beaded handbag. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 11 May 2026

The clathrate was found inside a copper-rich metallic droplet embedded in the trinitite. —Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 11 May 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