patronise
gb/pˈætɹənɪs/ us/pˈætɹənɪs/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
treat someone condescendingly
to talk to someone like they are stupid or like a child
Usage pattern:
patronise [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with patronise meaning ‘to be a customer of’ (more common in British English).
Synonyms
condescend to (More formal and often suggests a deliberate attitude of superiority.)
|
talk down to (More informal; focuses on how someone speaks.)
Antonyms
respect (Treat someone as capable and worthy of equal consideration.)
|
take seriously (Treat someone’s views or ability as important and credible.)
Collocations
patronise someone
|feel patronised
|sound patronising
|a patronising tone
|a patronising smile
|find it patronising
|stop patronising me
|talk in a patronising way
|deeply patronising
|unintentionally patronising
Themes
communication
|relationships
|emotions
|work
Examples
- I appreciate the advice, but please don’t patronise me.
- She meant well, but her explanation came across as patronising.
- He hated being patronised by people who assumed he didn’t understand the basics.
Learner examples
- Please don’t patronise me.
- He spoke to her in a patronising way.
Verb
B2
action
2
be a regular customer of
to go to a shop or restaurant as a customer, often regularly
Usage pattern:
patronise [place/business]
Common mistake:
Common in British English; in American English, many speakers prefer frequent or go to to avoid confusion with the ‘condescending’ meaning.
Synonyms
frequent (Emphasises visiting often; sounds slightly formal.)
|
shop at (Neutral and very common; focuses on shopping rather than loyalty.)
Antonyms
avoid (Choose not to go to a place or use a business.)
|
boycott (Avoid a business deliberately as a protest.)
Collocations
patronise a restaurant
|patronise a shop
|patronise a bar
|patronise a café
|patronise local businesses
|patronise independent stores
|patronise the same place
|regularly patronise
|patronise a service
|patronise a venue
Themes
daily_life
|shopping
|food_and_drink
|business
Examples
- We try to patronise independent cafés rather than big chains.
- Tourists patronise the market on Saturdays, so it gets very crowded.
- If you patronise this bookstore, you’re supporting a local business.
Learner examples
- We patronise a small restaurant near our home.
- Do you patronise this gym?
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
support financially as a patron
to support someone (especially in the arts) with money or help
Usage pattern:
patronise [artist/organization/activity]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with the more common meaning ‘to speak to someone in a rude, superior way’.
Synonyms
support (Broader and more common; does not specifically imply the patron role.)
|
sponsor (Often implies a defined arrangement or public association.)
Antonyms
withdraw support (Stop providing help or funding.)
Collocations
patronise the arts
|patronise an artist
|patronise a writer
|patronise a theatre
|patronise an institution
|patronise a charity
|wealthy patrons patronise
|historically patronised
|heavily patronised
|corporations patronise
Themes
arts
|culture
|business
|charity
Examples
- In earlier centuries, wealthy families often patronised composers and painters.
- The foundation patronises several young writers through grants and mentoring.
- The exhibition was patronised by local businesses and private donors.
Learner examples
- The company patronises a local arts festival.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patronise
IPA
GB/pˈætɹənɪs/
US/pˈætɹənɪs/
Syllables & stress
pat - ron - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pat)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: patronise
- 3rd Person Singular: patronises
- Present Participle: patronising
- Past: patronised
Word family
Forms
patronises
verb
patronising
verb
patronised
verb
Core family
Related words
Expressions
don't patronise me!
1/dˈoʊnt pˈætɹənɪs mˈi ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
protest condescending treatment
Stop talking to me like I’m stupid.
Examples
- ‘I can manage, thanks.’ ‘Okay, okay—don’t patronise me!’
- When he started explaining the obvious, she snapped, ‘Don’t patronise me!’
- ‘Don’t patronise me!’ he said, ‘I know exactly what I’m doing.’
in a patronising tone
1/ˈɪn ə pˈætɹənɪsɪŋ tˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
condescending way of speaking
speaking like the other person is a child
Examples
- He told me, in a patronising tone, to ‘leave the complicated bits to the experts’.
- She thanked him in a patronising tone that made the compliment feel insulting.
- Don’t explain it in a patronising tone—just tell me what I need to do.