metallic
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or consisting of metal.
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of the nature of or suggesting metal, as in luster, resonance, or hardness.
metallic green; a harsh metallic sound.
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Chemistry.
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(of a metal element) being in the free or uncombined state.
metallic iron.
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containing or yielding metal.
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noun
adjective
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of, concerned with, or consisting of metal or a metal
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suggestive of a metal
a metallic click
metallic lustre
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chem (of a metal element) existing in the free state rather than in combination
metallic copper
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.
In 2016, Hogg designed the statuette for the Brit Awards, producing 13 trophies characterised by her distinctive use of glitter and metallic tones.
From BBC
As Earth's metallic core formed, elements such as iron and molybdenum migrated inward and became concentrated there, leaving the mantle with much lower amounts.
From Science Daily
Under a positive voltage, they found that nitrate ions "passivate" the catalyst by attaching to its surface, which prevents copper oxide from converting to metallic copper and instead results in the formation of nitrite ions.
From Science Daily
"We refined our algorithms and used them to do a very detailed analysis of the metallic phase and oxide phase driving this very complex reaction."
From Science Daily
The researchers believe that the test for fingerprints on brass they have developed could be adapted for other metallic surfaces, expanding its range of potential forensic applications, from firearm-related crimes to arson.
From Science Daily
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.
