magnetic
Americanadjective
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having the properties of a magnet.
-
capable of being magnetized or attracted by a magnet.
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pertaining to the magnetic field of the earth.
the magnetic equator.
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exerting a strong attractive power or charm.
a magnetic personality.
- Synonyms:
- captivating, charismatic, persuasive
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noting or pertaining to various bearings and measurements as indicated by a magnetic compass.
magnetic amplitude;
magnetic course;
magnetic meridian.
adjective
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of, producing, or operated by means of magnetism
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of or concerned with a magnet
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of or concerned with the magnetism of the earth
the magnetic equator
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capable of being magnetized
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exerting a powerful attraction
a magnetic personality
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of magnetic
From the Late Latin word magnēticus, dating back to 1625–35. See magnet, -ic
Explanation
Things that are magnetic are attracted to metal. Also, people with charisma are called magnetic. If everything is attracted to you, whether you’re a refrigerator door or a rock star, you’re magnetic. Magnetic literally refers to something that attracts metal, like iron or steel. Refrigerator doors are magnetic, so magnets stick to it. Also, someone who is very popular and attracts people has a magnetic personality. A powerful speaker who attracts many fans has a magnetic way of speaking. Magnetic people make you want to get closer, like you’re being pulled by their magical magnetic force. Both senses of magnetic have to do with attraction.
Vocabulary lists containing magnetic
Waves and Wave Properties - Introductory
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Waves and Wave Properties - Middle School
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Electricity and Magnetism - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In theory, entangled quantum states can detect extremely small differences in magnetic fields or gravitational fields between separate locations.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
While all atoms continue to be driven by the same laser, additional lasers or magnetic fields are used to shift the excited state energies of different groups of atoms.
From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026
Interactions between the magnetic field and the gas remove angular momentum from the pair, allowing the two objects to spiral inward and form a binary system within a realistic timescale.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
This provides direct magnetic control over the charge carriers linked to the nodal lines, a capability that does not exist in non-magnetic nodal-line materials and is highly desirable for spintronic technologies.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
Anything potent enough to put on such a show could well blow away the magnetosphere, the magnetic zone high above the Earth that normally protects us from ultraviolet rays and other cosmic assaults.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
