metallic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal; common in technical, industrial, and descriptive contexts.
Quick answer
What does “metallic” mean?
Made of or resembling metal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Made of or resembling metal; having properties of metal.
Relating to or producing a sound, lustre, or quality reminiscent of metal; often used to describe a harsh, bright, or inorganic quality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Minor variations in collocational frequency and preferred synonyms in specific technical fields.
Connotations
Neutral. In both varieties, can connote industrial strength, coldness, or artificiality.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in contexts related to manufacturing and engineering discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “metallic” in a Sentence
BE + metallicHAVE a metallic + N (taste/sound)V + with a metallic + N (clang/glint)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metallic” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new alloy does not metallic easily under stress.
- (Note: 'metallic' as a verb is archaic/technical; 'to metal' is rare).
American English
- The process is designed to metallic the coating for durability.
- (See note above).
adverb
British English
- The light gleamed metallically off the stainless steel surface.
- (Rare, but grammatically possible).
American English
- The robot's joints moved metallically, with precise, clicking sounds.
- (Rare).
adjective
British English
- The car had a distinctive metallic blue paint job.
- There was a sharp, metallic tang in the air from the factory.
American English
- She chose a metallic silver finish for her laptop.
- A metallic ping echoed through the garage when the spring broke.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing, automotive, and commodities trading (e.g., 'metallic raw materials').
Academic
Common in chemistry, physics, materials science, and geology (e.g., 'metallic bonding', 'metallic ore').
Everyday
Describing objects, sounds, or tastes (e.g., 'The gate gave a metallic creak').
Technical
Precise description of properties (e.g., 'metallic conductivity', 'metallic corrosion').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metallic”
- Using 'metal' as an adjective in formal contexts (e.g., 'a metal surface' is acceptable, but 'a metallic surface' is more precise).
- Misspelling as 'metalic'.
- Overusing to describe non-metallic things that are merely shiny.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, figuratively to describe qualities reminiscent of metal, such as a 'metallic taste' (often from blood or chemicals) or a 'metallic sound' (sharp, ringing, inorganic).
'Metal' is primarily a noun (a substance). 'Metallic' is an adjective describing something made of metal or having properties like metal. You can have a 'metal box' (box made of metal) or a 'metallic sound' (sound like metal makes).
Yes, commonly in automotive and product design (e.g., metallic blue, metallic grey). It denotes a paint finish that contains small metal flakes to create a shimmering effect.
Neutral. It can be positive (e.g., 'sleek metallic finish'), negative (e.g., 'harsh metallic noise', 'unpleasant metallic taste'), or neutral/technical depending on context.
Made of or resembling metal.
Metallic is usually neutral to formal; common in technical, industrial, and descriptive contexts. in register.
Metallic: in British English it is pronounced /məˈtælɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈtælɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A metallic ring to it (suggests truth or falsity)”
- “Metallic taste of fear (clichéd expression for anxiety)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a METAL LICK: you lick a piece of metal, and it has a METALLIC taste.
Conceptual Metaphor
METALLIC IS HARD/INORGANIC/ARTIFICIAL (vs. soft/organic/natural).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'metallic' LEAST likely to be used accurately?