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Meaning & use

magnetic

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/mæɡˈnetɪk/
US/mæɡˈnetɪk/

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparable

    Able to attract iron or steel, or relating to this force.

    Grammar: Used before a noun or after linking verbs like be, become, seem.

    Patterns

    • magnetic material
    • magnetic field
    • be magnetic

    The magnetic strip on the back of your bank card stores your account information.

    A compass needle is magnetic and always points north.

    The magnetic field around the Earth protects us from harmful solar radiation.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Very attractive or interesting, drawing people's attention strongly.

    Grammar: Can be graded: more magnetic, most magnetic. Often describes a person's personality or a performance.

    Patterns

    • magnetic personality
    • magnetic smile
    • be magnetic

    She has a magnetic personality that makes everyone want to be her friend.

    His magnetic stage presence kept the audience completely silent.

    The actor's magnetic charm won him many fans.

Word forms

comparativemore magnetic
superlativemost magnetic

Common combinations

magnetic field
The magnetic field of the magnet is strongest at its poles.
magnetic personality
Her magnetic personality makes her a natural leader.
magnetic attraction
There was an instant magnetic attraction between them.
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The doctor ordered an MRI to get a detailed image of the brain.
magnetic north
A compass points to magnetic north, not true north.

Synonyms and how they differ

attractive
Attractive is broader and can mean physically pleasing; magnetic suggests a strong, almost irresistible pull on people's attention or emotions.
charismatic
Charismatic emphasizes a special charm that inspires devotion; magnetic focuses more on the power to draw people in.
compelling
Compelling means holding your attention forcefully, often because of interest or urgency; magnetic is more about personal charm.

Opposites

repellentrepulsive

Word family

magnet noun
An object that attracts iron and other metals.
magnetism noun
The property or force of a magnet; also strong personal charm.
magnetize verb
To make something magnetic, or to attract strongly.

Commonly confused: magnetic or magnet?

magnetic vs magnet

Magnet is a noun (the object); magnetic is an adjective describing the property.

Practice

The children were drawn to the new teacher because of her ______ personality.

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