non-metallic
non-metallic — adjective
1. Built from materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, or glass rather than from an
Built from materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, or glass rather than from any kind of metal.
Renata chose a non-metallic frying pan because she wanted to avoid scratching the surface.
non-metallic + noun (everyday object)
Patients having an MRI scan must wear only non-metallic clothing inside the machine.
context: MRI safety requirement
The dentist used a non-metallic filling so that the repair would blend with Mert's natural tooth colour.
Hikers were told to leave watches and belts in the car and bring only non-metallic items.
The factory now packages its food in non-metallic containers to lower production costs.
- metal-free
More plain-English; common on product labels and safety notices.
- plastic
Narrower — specifies the material; 'non-metallic' simply rules metal out.
文法句型
non-metallic + noun
be + non-metallic
用法筆記
Frequently appears in safety or technical contexts where the presence of metal matters (MRI scans, airport security, electrical insulation, food packaging). Object is usually a physical item — tool, container, or piece of clothing.
常見錯誤
2. Belonging to or characteristic of a chemical element such as oxygen, sulfur, or
Belonging to or characteristic of a chemical element such as oxygen, sulfur, or chlorine that lacks the typical features of metals.
Élise explained that carbon and sulfur are both classed as non-metallic elements in the periodic table.
collocation: non-metallic element
The lab tested how a non-metallic compound reacted when heated above five hundred degrees.
collocation: non-metallic compound
Oxygen has strongly non-metallic properties and forms bonds with almost every metal.
Ishaan's chemistry exam asked students to list four non-metallic elements found in living tissue.
Most non-metallic substances do not conduct electricity well at room temperature.
- nonmetal
Noun form used for the element itself; 'non-metallic' modifies a noun.
- metallic
Used of elements such as iron or copper that show metal-like behaviour.
文法句型
non-metallic + element/property
be + non-metallic
用法筆記
Limited to chemistry, physics, and earth-science contexts. Distinguish from sense 1 (NOT MADE OF METAL): this sense classifies a chemical element by its atomic behaviour, while sense 1 describes the material of an everyday object.