Meaning & use

patina

noun·Advanced

A thin surface layer that forms on metal, wood, or stone over time, often prized for its appearance.

See it in a sentence

The old bronze statue had developed a beautiful green patina after decades outdoors.

Years of careful use gave the leather bag a warm, rich patina.

A note on using this word

Patina can also describe an intangible quality gained with age, as in a patina of sophistication.

Words with a similar meaning

sheenfinish

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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