patronize

especially British, pa·tron·ise

[pey-truh-nahyz, pa‑]

verb (used with object)

patronized, patronizing 

1. to give (a store, restaurant, hotel, etc.) one's regular patronage; trade with.

2. to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward.

   a professor who patronizes his students.

3. to act as a patron toward (an artist, institution, etc.); support.

patronize

/ ˈpætrəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to behave or treat in a condescending way

2. (tr) to act as a patron or patroness by sponsoring or bringing trade to

Other Word Forms

• patronizer noun
• patronizable adjective
• patronization noun
• repatronize verb (used with object)
• transpatronize verb (used with object)
• unpatronizable adjective
• well-patronized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of patronize¹

First recorded in 1580–90; patron + -ize

Example Sentences

If we want an art scene here, we have to patronize it.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve been thinking about the nightclubs our community used to frequent and the ones we patronize now.

From Salon

Azuka said it has resonated with audiences who she was keen not to "patronize".

From BBC

People who have experienced weight loss become more likely to join fit people who patronize wellness businesses, he said, and malls will be there for them.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think I need to find a balance of contextualizing it without thinking like I’m patronizing people.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deign 
• snub 

When To Use

What does patronize mean?

To patronize is to be a customer (or patron) of a business or other establishment.In this sense, patronize most often means to be a paying customer, especially a regular one. However, you can patronize establishments that are not businesses—you can patronize a library, for example.Example: I patronize local shops and restaurants whenever I can in order to support people in my own community, instead of enriching faceless corporations.Patronize also means to act condescendingly toward a person in a way that arrogantly implies that you’re being kind or helpful to that person. This often takes the form of speaking to someone as if they were a child. Someone who acts in this way can be described as patronizing.Example: Don’t patronize me, Jeff—I understand the topic just as well as you do.