patronize
gb/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/ us/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
C1
action
1
Talk down to someone
To treat someone as if they are less intelligent or less important than you.
Usage pattern:
patronize [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the meaning “to be a customer of a business.” Context usually makes it clear (people vs. shops).
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.)
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
Themes
communication
|emotions
|relationships
|conflict
Examples
- Please don’t patronize me—I understand what you’re saying.
- He apologized for his patronizing tone during the meeting.
- The instructions were so basic that many users felt patronized.
Learner examples
- Don’t patronize me.
- She felt patronized by his comments.
Verb
formal
B2
action
2
Be a customer of a business
To buy things from a shop or use a business, often regularly.
Usage pattern:
patronize [business/place]
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”).
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.)
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
Themes
business
|shopping
|daily_life
|food_and_drink
Examples
- We try to patronize local businesses whenever we can.
- The café depends on students who patronize it after class.
- If the service is bad, customers won’t patronize the store again.
Learner examples
- I like to patronize small businesses.
- Many people patronize this restaurant on weekends.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
Support an artist or project
To support someone (especially in the arts) by giving money or help.
Usage pattern:
patronize [artist/organization/cause]
Common mistake:
In modern everyday English, people more often say “support,” “fund,” or “sponsor.”
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.)
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
Themes
arts
|money
|culture
|business
Examples
- For years, she patronized young musicians by paying for their training.
- The foundation patronizes several cultural projects in the city.
- In the past, wealthy families often patronized painters and composers.
Learner examples
- The company patronized a local art program.
- He patronized the theatre with donations.
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.”
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.