patina

noun

pa·​ti·​na pə-ˈtē-nə  ˈpa-tə-nə 

plural patinas pə-ˈtē-nəz 

ˈpa-tə-nəz

or patinae pə-ˈtē-ˌnē 

-ˌnī, 

ˈpa-tə-

1

a

: a usually green film formed naturally on copper and bronze by long exposure or artificially (as by acids) and often valued aesthetically for its color

b

: a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use

the beautiful patina of this antique table

2

: an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character

the criminal has acquired a patina of respectability by his friendship with well-known businessmen

3

: a superficial covering or exterior

The toast was spread with a patina of butter.

Did you know?

When Italians began using patina in the 17th century to refer to the green film that forms on the surface of copper, they were drawing on Latin, in which patina means "a shallow dish." (Presumably, the Italian meaning developed from the observation of such film forming on copper dishes.) By the mid-18th century, English speakers were also calling the green film patina, and by the 20th century, they'd expanded the word's application to surface appearances of things that have grown more beautiful with age or use—think of an old wooden desk or a tarnished silver goblet. Use of the word to refer to thin layers both literal and figurative ("a patina of grime," "a patina of respectability") followed soon after.

Synonyms of patina

• aura
• atmosphere
• smell
• aroma
• air

Examples of patina in a Sentence

although the winery is brand-new, it has been constructed and decorated to give it a patina of old-world quaintness

Recent Examples on the Web

Quinn recommends mirrors with real gold leaf, clean lines, and good patina in particular. — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026

Katseye doesn’t seem to get in as much trouble as K-pop idols have in the past for swearing; a patina of unruliness has endeared the group to its followers. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

Although American missile defense systems protected the Gulf from the worst of the barrage, enough Iranian strikes got through to do substantial harm and to disrupt the patina of stability on which the region’s social and economic model rested. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Style an antique brass fixture as a real focal point, in an entryway or over a dining table, and let its imperfect, aged patina be part of the charm rather than something to polish away. — Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin, shallow dish — more at paten

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for patina

• arena
• athena
• cantina
• carina
• carmina
• catena
• czarina
• domina
• farina
• galena
• glossina
• hyena