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 particles combine liquid-like adaptability and metallic properties. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026

The device is not for users with active implantable medical devices such as pacemakers or hearing aid implants; users with metallic implants such as stents, bone plates or bone screws at or near the neck; or users operating another device like a TENS unit or muscle stimulator at the same time. —Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

Camila Mendes proved her devotion to the minimalist mule heel when out and about in New York City on Wednesday, showcasing a metallic pair from Staud with a breezy Guizio look. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 3 June 2026

Adult screwworm flies are about the size of a common housefly and have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along their backs, the USDA said. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 June 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