metallic

[ muh-tal-ik ]

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

/ mɪˈtælɪk /

adjective

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

   metallic lustre

   a metallic click

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

   metallic copper

metallic

/ mĭ-tăl′ĭk /

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

Derived Forms

• meˈtallically, adverb

Other Words From

• me·talli·cal·ly adverb
• met·al·lic·i·ty [met-l-, is, -i-tee], met·al·le·i·ty [met-l-, ee, -i-tee], noun
• inter·me·tallic adjective
• multi·me·tallic adjective
• semi·me·tallic adjective
• unme·tallic adjective
• unme·talli·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of metallic¹

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

Example Sentences

The panels’ daubed surfaces gleam congenially toward Mougne’s metallic figures.

From Washington Post

A final sintering process heats up the material and creates a solid metallic structure.

From Popular-Science

Astronomers have since discovered planets where 10,000 mile-per-hour winds whip up metallic storm clouds that rain molten iron.

From Singularity Hub 

Impractically high pressures are needed to squash hydrogen into a metallic lattice.

From Quanta Magazine

For example, researchers have used it to switch materials between insulating and metallic behavior, to control magnetic properties, and to trigger superconductivity.

From Quanta Magazine

Her very first sculpture, a metallic chrome unicorn aptly titled “Space Oracle,” sits on a pedestal directly in front.

From The Daily Beast

The blast was a stupefying white flash followed by a body-shaking howl, and it was the cue for a maelstrom of metallic shrieks.

From The Daily Beast

With Perl in particular, a former makeup artist, there is a sultriness to her metallic eye shadow and her painted lips.

From The Daily Beast

Iconic looks include the metallic and asymmetrical bodysuits from the Aladdin Sane tour, the ice-blue suit from the Life on Mars?

From The Daily Beast

He eschews acid-etched bottles and labels with metallic-based inks.

From The Daily Beast

"Garnache," came the other's crisp, metallic voice, and the name had a sound as of an oath on his lips.

From Project Gutenberg

The floating lights of England are illuminated by means of lamps with metallic reflectors, on what is styled the catoptric system.

From Project Gutenberg

Now only the image-forming silver bromide particles remain, and these have been transformed to metallic silver.

From Project Gutenberg

At last I caught what you may call in distinct glimpses of sound dulled metallic sound.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a well-trained voice, but metallic, and her high notes had in them the cry of a wild animal.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• golden
• silvery