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Showing results for metallic. Search instead for Metallics.
Synonyms

metallic

American  
[muh-tal-ik] / məˈtæl ɪk /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of metal.

  2. of the nature of or suggesting metal, as in luster, resonance, or hardness.

    metallic green; a harsh metallic sound.

  3. Chemistry.

    1. (of a metal element) being in the free or uncombined state.

      metallic iron.

    2. containing or yielding metal.

noun

  1. Textiles.

    1. a yarn or fiber made partly or entirely of metal and having a metallic appearance.

    2. a fabric made of such a yarn or fiber.

metallic British  
/ mɪˈtælɪk /

adjective

  1. of, concerned with, or consisting of metal or a metal

  2. suggestive of a metal

    a metallic click

    metallic lustre

  3. chem (of a metal element) existing in the free state rather than in combination

    metallic copper
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
metallic Scientific  
/ mĭ-tăl′ĭk /

  1. Relating to or having the characteristics of a metal.

Other Word Forms

  • intermetallic adjective
  • metalleity noun
  • metallically adverb
  • metallicity noun
  • multimetallic adjective
  • semimetallic adjective
  • unmetallic adjective
  • unmetallically adverb

Etymology

Origin of metallic

1560–70; < Latin metallicus < Greek metallikós of, for mines. See metal, -ic

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.

Oil fires can also release sulphur and nitrogen oxides, which can form acids if they dissolve in rainwater, as well as other harmful hydrocarbons, metallic compounds and droplets of oil.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Silicon differs fundamentally from carbon because it is more metallic and does not hold onto its electrons as tightly.

From Science Daily • Feb. 24, 2026

Mining stocks have benefited from the fact that data centers require more wire and other metallic products, sending metals prices higher.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

For her sit-down with Shepherd, Huger was styled in a formfitting burnt orange dress, metallic cuffs and a chic bob.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2026

Then came the thing Gingersnipes was talking about—the sharp, metallic scent of skin.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

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.