patronize
gb/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/ us/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/
B2
English
lekezel, vásárol, jár, pártfogol
VERB
C1
1
lekezel
B2
Usage pattern:
patronize [someone]
Please don’t patronize me—I understand what you’re saying.
Kérlek, ne kezelj le — értem, mit mondasz.
He apologized for his patronizing tone during the meeting.
Elnézést kért a megbeszélésen használt lekezelő hangneméért.
The instructions were so basic that many users felt patronized.
Learner examples
Don’t patronize me.
Ne kezelj le.
She felt patronized by his comments.
Úgy érezte, hogy a megjegyzéseivel lekezeli őt.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the meaning “to be a customer of a business.” Context usually makes it clear (people vs. shops).
Meaning
Talk down to someone
Collocations
patronize someone
|feel patronized
|stop patronizing me
|a patronizing tone
|patronizing attitude
|sound patronizing
|come across as patronizing
|talk to someone in a patronizing way
|patronize your staff
|patronize the way someone speaks
Synonyms
condescend to (Often implies showing superiority openly or indirectly.)
|
talk down to (More informal; focuses on the way someone speaks.)
|
treat like a child (Emphasizes being overly simple or overhelpful.)
Antonyms
respect (Treat someone as an equal with proper regard.)
|
defer to (Show respect by letting the other person lead or decide.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|relationships
|conflict
Definition
To treat someone as if they are less intelligent or less important than you.
To speak or behave toward someone in a way that shows you think you are superior, especially by being falsely kind, overly simple, or condescending.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
patronize [business/place]
We try to patronize local businesses whenever we can.
Amikor csak tudunk, igyekszünk a helyi vállalkozásoknál vásárolni.
The café depends on students who patronize it after class.
A kávézó azokra a diákokra támaszkodik, akik óra után odajárnak.
If the service is bad, customers won’t patronize the store again.
Learner examples
I like to patronize small businesses.
Szeretek kisvállalkozásoknál vásárolni.
Many people patronize this restaurant on weekends.
Sokan járnak ebbe az étterembe hétvégén.
Common mistake:
This meaning is more formal than “go to” or “shop at.” Avoid using it when talking about people (that usually means “talk down to”).
Meaning
Be a customer of a business
Collocations
patronize a restaurant
|patronize a shop
|patronize a bar
|patronize local businesses
|patronize small businesses
|customers who patronize
|encourage people to patronize
|regularly patronize
|patronize an establishment
|patronize a café
Synonyms
shop at (More common and neutral in everyday speech.)
|
go to (Broader; does not necessarily imply spending money.)
|
frequent (More formal; emphasizes regular visits.)
Antonyms
boycott (Deliberately refuse to buy from a business.)
|
avoid (Choose not to go to or use a place.)
Themes
business
|shopping
|daily_life
|food_and_drink
Definition
To buy things from a shop or use a business, often regularly.
To go to a shop, restaurant, or other business and buy its goods or services, especially regularly.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
pártfogol
C1
Usage pattern:
patronize [artist/organization/cause]
For years, she patronized young musicians by paying for their training.
Évekig pártfogolta a fiatal zenészeket azzal, hogy fizette a képzésüket.
The foundation patronizes several cultural projects in the city.
Az alapítvány több kulturális projektet is pártfogol a városban.
In the past, wealthy families often patronized painters and composers.
Learner examples
The company patronized a local art program.
A cég pártfogolt egy helyi művészeti programot.
He patronized the theatre with donations.
Adományokkal pártfogolta a színházat.
Common mistake:
In modern everyday English, people more often say “support,” “fund,” or “sponsor.”
Meaning
Support an artist or project
Collocations
patronize the arts
|patronize an artist
|patronize a theatre company
|patronize a charity
|patronize a project
|wealthy patrons who patronize
|patronize a gallery
|patronize cultural institutions
Synonyms
support (More general and common.)
|
sponsor (Often linked to funding in exchange for publicity or benefits.)
|
fund (Focuses specifically on providing money.)
Antonyms
defund (Remove financial support.)
|
undermine (Actively damage efforts rather than support them.)
Themes
arts
|money
|culture
|business
Definition
To support someone (especially in the arts) by giving money or help.
To support an artist, organization, or cause by giving money, resources, or influence; to act as a patron.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patronize
IPA
GB/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/
US/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
pat - ron - ize (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pat)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: patronize
- 3rd Person Singular: patronizes
- Present Participle: patronizing
- Past: patronized
Word family
Expressions
don’t patronize me.
1/dˈoʊnt pˈætɹənˌaɪz mˈi ‖/
fixed phrase
Stop talking down to me
Stop treating me like I’m stupid.
Examples
- Don’t patronize me—I’ve done this job for years.
- She snapped, “Don’t patronize me,” when he tried to explain the obvious.
- “Don’t patronize me,” he said, “just answer the question.”
Learner examples
- Don’t patronize me.
- Please don’t patronize me.
patronize the arts
1/pˈætɹənˌaɪz ðə ˈɑɹts/
fixed phrase
formal
Support arts with money
To support art and artists with money or help.
Examples
- The family has long patronized the arts in the region.
- Many businesses patronize the arts through donations and grants.
- She believes governments should patronize the arts more actively.
Learner examples
- Some people patronize the arts by donating money.