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.
Magnetic and electronic storage devices often lose data after only a few years, especially without continuous power, cooling, and maintenance.
From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026
Magnetic vortices form in ultrathin disks made of materials like nickel-iron, often just micrometers or even nanometers in size.
From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026
Daryanani is also optimistic about Seagate’s leadership with its Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording, or HAMR, technology, which allows it to make products with higher data density.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 28, 2026
Magnetic readings depend on a sensor head about the size of a finger that uses lasers and rubidium atoms.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025
Magnetic trains were already moving as efficiently as they could.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
