Metallic
/məˈtælɪk/
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to or resembling metal, especially in appearance or properties.
/məˈtælɪk/
Having the properties of a metal.
The new car had a metallic paint job.
💡 Simply: Imagine a shiny silver car. It's got a metallic look! Anything that looks like metal, or shares its qualities like being shiny or strong, is metallic.
👶 For kids: When something looks or feels like metal, like a shiny toy robot, it's metallic!
More Examples
The sound of the wind chimes was a soft, metallic chime.
The building's facade featured a metallic sheen.
How It's Used
"Metallic luster is often a characteristic of minerals containing metals."
"The kitchen featured metallic finishes on the appliances and cabinets."
Having the quality of metal in terms of taste or sound.
/məˈtælɪk/
Resembling metal in sound or taste.
The patient reported a metallic taste in her mouth.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, things don’t just look like metal, they can taste or sound like it too! Imagine biting on a metal spoon (don't do this!). If something tastes or sounds like that, we call it metallic.
👶 For kids: Something that tastes or sounds like metal, like if you lick a metal slide!
More Examples
The clanging of the train was a metallic sound.
The music had a metallic edge.
How It's Used
"Some medications can cause a metallic taste in the mouth."
"The narrator described the sound of the sword as metallic."
From Late Latin *metallicus*, from Greek *metallikos* 'of a metal', from *metallon* 'metal'.
The word 'metallic' has been used since the 17th century to describe anything relating to metals.
Memory tip
Think of a shiny, hard, and usually conductive substance - that's what 'metallic' describes.
Word Origin
"Of or relating to metal."