patronize

patronize
patronize pat‧ron‧ize [ˈpætrənaɪz ǁ ˈpeɪ-, ˈpæ-] also patronise verb [transitive]
1. COMMERCE to use or visit a particular shop, restaurant, hotel etc:

• Many homosexuals patronize gay-owned companies simply because they feel more comfortable there.

2. to speak to someone in a way that suggests that they are not as intelligent as you:

• The agency has a reputation for patronizing clients who don't agree with its creative ideas.

3. to support or give money to an organization or activity:

• The State patronizes the arts by designating ten thousand Kuwaiti Dinars annually for the selection and purchase of paintings by Kuwaiti artists.

— patronizing also patronising adjective :

• It's patronizing not to expect women to fulfill a contract just because they have childcare responsibilities.

* * *

patronize UK US (UK also patronise) /ˈpætrənaɪz/ US  /ˈpeɪtrənaɪz/ verb [T]
► FORMAL to be a regular customer of a shop, restaurant, hotel, etc.: »

Special offer coupons can be effective in motivating shoppers to patronize certain establishments.

► to speak to or behave towards someone as if they are stupid or not important: »

Additional research has found that 70% of people feel patronised by advertising.

► to support an activity or a public organization, especially by giving money: »

For sale are objects d'art inspired and patronized by China's emperors for 4,000 years.


Financial and business terms. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • patronize — [v1] condescend be gracious to, be lofty, be overbearing, deign, favor, indulge, look down on*, pat on the back*, snub, stoop, talk down to*, toss a few crumbs*, treat as inferior, treat badly, treat like a child*; concept 384 Ant. be humble, be… …   New thesaurus

  • Patronize — Pa tron*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Patronized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Patronizing}.] 1. To act as patron toward; to support; to countenance; to favor; to aid. [1913 Webster] The idea has been patronized by two States only. A. Hamilton. [1913 Webster] 2 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • patronize — I (condescend toward) verb assume a lofty bearing, deign, favor, grant, indulge, look down on, lower oneself, oblige, talk down to, treat in a condescending way, vouchsafe II (trade with) verb be a customer of, buy from, deal with, do business… …   Law dictionary

  • patronize — (v.) 1580s, to act as a patron towards, from PATRON (Cf. patron) + IZE (Cf. ize). Meaning treat in a condescending way is first attested 1797; sense of give regular business to is from 1801. Related: Patronized; patronizing …   Etymology dictionary

  • patronize — (Amer.) pa·tron·ize || peɪtrÉ™naɪz / pæt v. be arrogant, behave in a condescending manner; serve as a sponsor, serve as a benefactor; be a regular customer at a store or other business (also patronise) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • patronize — (also patronise) ► VERB 1) treat condescendingly. 2) be a patron of …   English terms dictionary

  • patronize — [pā′trə nīz΄, pa′trən īz΄] vt. patronized, patronizing 1. to act as a patron toward; sponsor; support 2. to be kind or helpful to, but in a haughty or snobbish way, as if dealing with an inferior 3. to be a regular customer of (a store, merchant …   English World dictionary

  • patronize — [[t]pæ̱trənaɪz, AM pe͟ɪt [/t]] patronizes, patronizing, patronized (in BRIT, also use patronise) 1) VERB (disapproval) If someone patronizes you, they speak or behave towards you in a way which seems friendly, but which shows that they think they …   English dictionary

  • patronize — verb (T) 1 to talk to someone as if they are stupid when in fact they are not: Don t patronize me I m not a fool. 2 formal to use or visit a shop, restaurant etc: tourists who patronize the shopping and recreational facilities 3 to support or… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • patronize — UK [ˈpætrənaɪz] / US [ˈpeɪtrənaɪz] verb Word forms patronize : present tense I/you/we/they patronize he/she/it patronizes present participle patronizing past tense patronized past participle patronized 1) [intransitive/transitive] showing… …   English dictionary

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