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 applied the word patina to the green film that forms on the surface of copper, they were drawing from 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. The related verb patinate means "to give a patina to."

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

A little bit of grit on the edges of the pages and minor yellowing is good patina. — David Michon, Curbed, 11 Nov. 2026

New hurricane-proof windows were set into concrete frames, the roof was removed and rebuilt, and the original tiles and the patina of the plaster fireplace were carefully preserved. — Lucas Oliver Mill, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2026

But this exploitation of Catholic bishops who were praying for their president, not delivering papal edicts with political patinas, feels especially repulsive. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

In a very short time, Rider tweaked Celine’s mostly classic men’s wardrobe with little jolts of fashion, helpings of preppy, winks to the past and a very distinctive patina and hand — nothing too bright, stiff or high-contrast. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!