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 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 Much like the duo's earlier film, The Lodge takes a story that is relatively straightforward and energizes it with a slick nihilism that lends it the patina of the best downbeat horrors from the 1970s. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023 The original sink and counters are made of zinc and have the patina of time, a fact the homeowners relish. Andrea Darr, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 These finishes change with age, acquiring a patina like the faucet in an old bar sink. Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2024 The listing image shows the building’s patina, but makes no mention of the legal drama. Curbed, 5 Jan. 2024

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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