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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
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 Nov. 2025
Each specimen’s unique characteristics reminded him of the patterns and patinas that distinguish the objects at the family’s haveli, or nobleman’s mansion, in the Pink City.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
This list focuses on bars that have a certain patina.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
The designer and her team excel at highlighting and restoring the original detail of historic residences and adding a sense of patina to new homes.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patina
Cite this Entry
“Patina.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patina. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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