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-

Synonyms of patina next

: 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

: a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use

the beautiful patina of this antique table

: 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

: 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

From $2,290 Book now Following an extensive renovation that took more than three years, the iconic 1898 Ritz Paris reopened in June 2016 with all the charm and patina that such notable guests as Coco Chanel and F. Scott Fitzgerald came to know well. —

Mary Holland, AFAR Media, 19 Dec. 2024 The building’s history as an inn dates back to the 1700s, and the gorgeous patina of the sloping staircase proves it. —

Ann Abel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Step 3: Scrub Using circular motions, use your sponge to scrub the product into the copper and watch as the patina falls away. —

Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024 Old Master art, religious or not, augments all kinds of Christmas décor by adding the patina of vintage values. —

Brian T. Allen, National Review, 14 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for patina