patina

noun

pa·​ti·​na pə-ˈtē-nə How to pronounce patina (audio) ˈpa-tə-nə How to pronounce patina (audio)
plural patinas pə-ˈtē-nəz How to pronounce patina (audio)
ˈpa-tə-nəz
or patinae pə-ˈtē-ˌnē How to pronounce patina (audio)
-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.

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 There’s an unreality to the beauty here that adds to the fantasy patina. Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Here, an antique Provencal farmhouse dining table acted as inspiration—an old-world patina wood story is woven throughout the space. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 For a more playful take, consider interior designer Amy Howard’s Toscana Milk Paint line—inspired by patina found on European antiques, the line spans milky greens, light grays, and pink and yellow hues. Amanda Lauren, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Feb. 2024 To achieve that, the patina team in Berlin hand-dipped the coat to give it an ombre effect. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023 Always soft, in vegetal leather, with an untreated grain patina. Mark Holgate, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024 Amid the muddy construction site, stage and pavilion set up for the day were a dozen vintage Scouts, some meticulously restored, others with the patina of age and experience, all on display with proud owners happy to discuss their love of the brand. Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 At Harvard and similar schools, some 98 percent of undergraduates live on campus, basting in a progressive hothouse where there’s a patina of intense busyness but not much actual work. Frederick M. Hess, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 The black paint used in parts was inspired by the natural patina acquired by Indigenous palm-thatch dwellings, a resilient typology throughout Brazil that most architects, until recently, wouldn’t have considered architecture at all. Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patina.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin, shallow dish — more at paten

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of patina was in 1748

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Dictionary Entries Near patina

Cite this Entry

“Patina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patina. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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