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- \

Definition of patina

1a : 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.

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about patina

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Italians began using "patina" in the 17th century to refer to the green film that is produced on the surface of copper. They borrowed the word from Latin, where it 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 early 20th century, "patina" was being used in English for the gloss of polished metals, like silver, as well as wooden furniture - a meaning that led to its literary use for a surrounding aura, as demonstrated in this quote from Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm (1932): "The very atmosphere seemed covered with a rich patina of love."

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

He and his colleagues are using patinas to tell stories about individual finds. — The Economist, "Buried metal artefacts gather stories on their surfaces," 4 July 2019 The Palazzo Corpi’s high-ceilinged rooms, with their frescoed walls and ceilings and parquet and marble floors, have kept their unrestored, ochred patina, and the effect is astonishingly potent and evocative. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Hamish Bowles Attends Serdar Gülgün’s Opulent Ottoman Ball in Istanbul," 4 Feb. 2019 Wainscoting topped with patina tin walls in seafoam and white mirror the original tin ceiling with a faux antique flair. — Vogue, "What’s Old Is New Again on Block Island," 14 Aug. 2019 In old photos, those dirtied, spattered, and knotted-up Chucks reflected the patina of famous, creative lives of iconoclasts. — Kate Bowers, Fortune, "Rebooting Converse: Should the brand play hard to get?," 30 July 2019 Within a year, the copper acquired a brown patina, and the house finally seemed to blend a bit with its surroundings. — Tina Daunt, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column One: Bob Hope house in Palm Springs, long an architectural footnote, approaches masterpiece status," 8 June 2019 Had the other models left their imprint in the lumpy surface, the oily patina of the upholstery, and the rank musky odor? — Longreads, "A Minor Figure," 20 July 2019 Within a year, the copper acquired a brown patina, and the house finally seemed to blend a bit with its surroundings. — Tina Daunt, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column One: Bob Hope house in Palm Springs, long an architectural footnote, approaches masterpiece status," 8 June 2019 Within a year, the copper acquired a brown patina, and the house finally seemed to blend a bit with its surroundings. — Tina Daunt, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column One: Bob Hope house in Palm Springs, long an architectural footnote, approaches masterpiece status," 8 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patina.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for patina

patina

noun

English Language Learners Definition of patina

: a thin usually green layer that forms naturally on the metals copper and bronze when they are exposed to the air for a long time

: a shiny or dark surface that forms naturally on something (such as wood or leather) that is used for a long time

: a thin layer

See the full definition for patina in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

patina

Definition of patina

Synonyms for patina

Did You Know?

Examples of patina in a Sentence

First Known Use of patina

History and Etymology for patina

English Language Learners Definition of patina

patina

Definition of patina

Synonyms for patina

Did You Know?

Examples of patina in a Sentence

First Known Use of patina

History and Etymology for patina

English Language Learners Definition of patina

WORD OF THE DAY