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
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.
Exposure at the poles is more intense because elsewhere the earth's magnetic field acts as a shield.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
But high school football games had a magnetic pull, and spectators consistently sold out the stadium, he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
The new results provide strong evidence that magnetic transitions within the nucleus are responsible for the effect.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026
Until now, however, scientists have had a limited understanding of exactly where synaptic loss occurs in the brains of living people because conventional imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging cannot specifically measure synapses.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
Thus Gilbert made magnetic experiments relevant to a well-established branch of natural knowledge, astronomy.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
