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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
Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2025
But the patina remained – stone walls left charred where cookfires had been.
—Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
Shiny and high-polished pieces are taking a back seat in favor of natural patinas and warmer tones that give a softer, more traditional look like satin, brushed, and matte finishes.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025
The radium lume on the hour markers and hands have developed a rich orange patina, which some people call Pumpkin or Caramel.
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—Thomas Wojtowicz, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2025.
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