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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
Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 27 Apr. 2026
Another option is simply to embrace the patina.
—Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
An elegant vintage frame with a little bit of patina can elevate your family photos or a beloved piece of artwork.
—Nina Derwin, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
Transform them into wind chimes or plant stakes — functional pieces that carry the patina and history of their former lives.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patina
Cite this Entry
“Patina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patina. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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