patronise

/'pætrənaiz/ Cách viết khác : (patronize) /'pætrənaiz/

Definition

Verb:
- To be a regular customer or client of a business: To frequent a shop, restaurant, or other establishment, providing it with regular custom.
- To support or sponsor: To give financial or other support to a person, organization, or activity.
- To treat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority: To behave in a condescending manner towards someone, as if they are less intelligent or important.

Usage and Examples

As a regular customer:
- We patronise the local bakery because their bread is excellent.
- The café is patronised mainly by students from the nearby university.
To support or sponsor:
- A wealthy philanthropist agreed to patronise the new community arts centre.
- The festival is patronised by several national corporations.
To treat condescendingly:
- He has a tendency to patronise his younger colleagues, explaining things they already understand.
- Please don't patronise me; I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

The condescending sense of patronise is often considered negative and insulting. It implies a lack of genuine respect.
In its supportive sense, it can have a formal or old-fashioned tone, often associated with the arts or charitable causes.
The spelling patronise is chiefly British English; patronize is the common American English spelling.

Variants and Related Words

Patron (noun): A person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause; a regular customer of a shop, restaurant, etc.
- She is a patron of the opera.
Patronage (noun): The support given by a patron; the power to control appointments to office or the right to privileges; the regular business given to a shop.
- The museum relies on the patronage of private donors.
- Political patronage can be a problem.
Patronising (adjective, chiefly British) / Patronizing (adjective): Having or showing a condescending manner.
- He gave me a patronising smile.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Boycott (verb): To refuse to buy from or deal with a business as a form of protest.
Ignore (verb): To refuse to take notice of or acknowledge.
Respect (verb): To admire deeply or hold in high esteem.

Related Phrases and Idioms

Patronising tone/attitude/smile: A manner of speaking or behaving that is condescending.
- I disliked his patronising attitude throughout the meeting.
To patronise an establishment: A formal way of saying to be a customer of a business.
- The club is patronised by members of high society.

Verb

be a regular customer or client of
- We patronize this store
- Our sponsor kept our art studio going for as long as he could
treat condescendingly
assume sponsorship of
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of

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