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 ankle-height boots featured a tan suede and white colorway with metallic accents; the silhouette also featured a lug sole. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 11 Dec. 2025

Both singers were dressed for the cold weather—Swift in a black Louis Vuitton coat and chunky black leather boots, Haim in a more colorful navy coat with metallic gold pumps. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Dec. 2025

Add Tibi’s funnel-neck trench coat for effortless ease, then introduce a touch of shine with Zara’s gold-metallic ballet flats and The Row’s brown shoulder bag. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2025

Jenna Ortega appeared at the Marrakech International Film Festival in a red one-shoulder gown with a metallic choker detail. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 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