nonmetallic

adjective

non·​me·​tal·​lic ˌnän-mə-ˈta-lik 

1

: not metallic

2

: of, relating to, or being a nonmetal

Examples of nonmetallic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By re-creating the papyri with inks containing varying amounts of lead, the researchers found that X-ray imaging could more easily detect ink with lead — present in some of the ancient scrolls — than nonmetallic ink. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Ground-penetrating radar can detect nonmetallic objects but performs poorly in wet or uneven terrain, or ground covered by vegetation, and often generates high false-alarm rates. — Sagar Lekhak, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026

The original permit allowed the company to crush nonmetallic rock, but not copper ore slag which contains heavy metals. — Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026

Mining Jobs Mining jobs (excluding oil/gas) primarily consist of mining, developing mine sites, and preparing metallic and nonmetallic minerals. — Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nonmetallic

• bimetallic
• alack
• gallic
• hallock
• malic
• malik
• phallic
• salic
• sialic
• taluk
• brachycephalic
• intermetallic

Kids Definition

nonmetallic

adjective

non·​me·​tal·​lic ˌnän-mə-ˈtal-ik 

1

: not metallic

2

: of, relating to, or being a nonmetal

Medical Definition

nonmetallic

adjective

non·​me·​tal·​lic ˌnän-mə-ˈtal-ik 

1

: not metallic

2

: of, relating to, or being a nonmetal