patron
gb/pˈeɪtɹən/ us/pˈeɪtɹən/
B1
English
~ 5900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
regular customer or user
A person who goes to a place like a restaurant, bar, or library and uses its services, often many times.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a regular patron of [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'patron' with 'pattern' because they look similar. Another mistake is thinking 'patron' always sounds very formal; in modern English it is common in business and library contexts, especially in written notices. When talking, people may more often say 'customer' instead.
Synonyms
customer (The most general word for a person who buys goods or services; does not suggest being regular as strongly as 'patron'.)
|
client (More common for professional services (lawyers, designers, consultants) rather than everyday places like restaurants and bars.)
|
visitor (Focuses on going to a place, not on paying or using services; weaker business link than 'patron'.)
Antonyms
owner (The person who has the business, opposite role to a paying patron.)
|
staff (People who work in the business rather than people who use it.)
Collocations
regular patrons
|restaurant patrons
|bar patrons
|library patrons
|loyal patrons
|serve patrons
Themes
business
|daily life
|services
|daily_life
Examples
- The café was full of early-morning patrons reading the news on their phones.
- Library patrons are asked to return books within three weeks.
- To attract new patrons, the restaurant introduced a discounted lunch menu.
- Several patrons complained about the loud music in the bar.
- Regular patrons greeted the bartender by name as they walked in.
Learner examples
- Many patrons were eating lunch in the small restaurant.
- The library has many young patrons after school.
- The staff were very friendly to all the patrons.
- The bar gives a free drink to loyal patrons.
- New patrons get a 10 percent discount.
Noun
B2
entity
2
supporter or sponsor, often financial
A person who helps a group, artist, or project, usually by giving money or other support.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a patron of [an organization/activity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'patron' to mean 'boss' because of its meaning in some other languages (for example, French or Spanish). In modern English, 'patron' almost never means 'boss'; use 'boss', 'manager', or 'employer' instead. Also, do not confuse 'patron' with the verb 'patronize', which can mean to support but more often means to treat someone as if they are less important.
Synonyms
sponsor (Often used for companies or organizations that give money in return for publicity; 'patron' can sound more personal or cultural.)
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benefactor (More formal and strongly emphasizes generous financial help, often in charity or education.)
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supporter (Very general; does not always imply giving money, while 'patron' usually suggests some material support.)
Antonyms
opponent (Someone who works against a cause instead of supporting it.)
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critic (Someone who speaks against or attacks a project or artist rather than backing them.)
Collocations
patron of the arts
|wealthy patron
|generous patron
|arts patron
|patron of the charity
|corporate patron
Themes
arts
|charity
|business
|society
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- Several wealthy patrons funded the new community theater.
- As a long-time patron of the orchestra, she donates every season.
- The gallery is looking for patrons to support its education programs.
- He became a patron of the charity after visiting one of its shelters.
- Renaissance artists often depended on powerful patrons to continue their work.
Learner examples
- A kind patron paid for the new school building.
- The museum needs more patrons to stay open.
- She is a patron of many small art projects.
- The group thanked all their patrons for their help.
- The artist found a patron who bought his work.
Noun
B2
entity
3
holy protector, especially a saint
A holy person, usually a saint, who is thought to protect or help a certain place, group of people, or type of work.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the patron saint of [a place/group/activity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'patron saint' means any very good or famous person in an area. In serious or religious use, it refers to a specific holy figure officially linked to a place, group, or activity. In a joking way, people may say things like 'the patron saint of lazy students', but this is figurative.
Synonyms
protector (A general word for someone who protects; 'patron' in this sense is strongly religious and often official in tradition.)
|
guardian (Suggests someone who watches over and keeps safe; 'patron' adds a religious and symbolic role.)
Antonyms
enemy (Someone who wishes harm to a group or place, opposite of a protecting patron saint.)
Collocations
patron saint
|patron saint of Ireland
|national patron saint
|patron saint of travelers
|choose a patron saint
Themes
religion
|culture
|history
Examples
- Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland.
- They held a festival in honor of the town's patron saint.
- Many hospitals are named after their patron saint.
- She prays to the patron saint of travelers before every long trip.
- The guild chose a new patron saint to represent its members.
Learner examples
- Saint George is the patron saint of England.
- The church is named after its patron saint.
- People ask their patron saint for help.
- Every year, the city celebrates its patron saint.
- He learned about the patron saint of teachers.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
4
official honorary supporter of an organization
An important or famous person who has an official role to support and speak for a charity, club, or cultural group.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is the patron of [an organization]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is always about money. A patron in this formal sense may give money, but the key idea is the official, public role supporting and representing the organization.
Synonyms
figurehead (Emphasizes a symbolic or public role; 'patron' more strongly suggests support and promotion, not just a name.)
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honorary president (A formal title in some organizations; similar role, but 'patron' is more common in charities and arts bodies, especially in the UK.)
Antonyms
ordinary member (A regular person in the organization without a special public or honorary role.)
Collocations
royal patron
|celebrity patron
|official patron
|serve as patron
|patron of the charity
|appoint a new patron
Themes
charity
|society
|organizations
|arts_entertainment
|relationships
Examples
- The charity announced a well-known actor as its new patron.
- As royal patron, she attends several fundraising events every year.
- The museum's patron helped raise its public profile.
- He has served as patron of the youth orchestra for over a decade.
- They are seeking a high-profile patron to support their campaign.
Learner examples
- A famous singer became the patron of the children’s charity.
- The group asked a local sports star to be their patron.
- As patron, she speaks about the charity on TV.
- The museum is proud to have a royal patron.
- The club wants a new patron to help with events.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patron
IPA
GB/pˈeɪtɹən/
US/pˈeɪtɹən/
Syllables & stress
pat - ron (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: patron
- Plural: patrons
Word family
Forms
patrons
noun
Related words
patronizing
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
patronizingly
adverb C1
Expressions
patron of the arts
1/pˈeɪtɹən əv ðə ˈɑɹts/
fixed phrase
supporter and funder of the arts
A person who gives money or other help to artists, theaters, museums, or other art groups.
Examples
- As a patron of the arts, she donates to several local theaters.
- The city honored him as a major patron of the arts.
patron saint
1/pˈeɪtɹən sˈeɪnt/
fixed phrase
saint seen as special protector
A saint who is officially linked to a place, group, or activity and is believed to protect or guide it.
Examples
- Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children and sailors.
- The town holds a parade every year for its patron saint.
patron saint of
1/pˈeɪtɹən sˈeɪnt əv/
fixed phrase
saint protecting a specific thing
Used before a group, place, or activity to say which saint is believed to protect or guide it.
Examples
- Saint Christopher is often called the patron saint of travelers.
- Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the environment.