Word
patronize
Phoneticspa·tron·ize, stress on the first syllable
/ˈpætɹəˌnaɪz/
UK spelling · patronise
Definition
v. to visit a business or shop regularly to support it. It can also mean to treat someone in a way that shows you think they are less important than you are.
v. to frequent a commercial establishment as a regular customer; alternatively, to treat someone with condescending or superior indifference. Often carries a negative nuance when describing social interactions.
Examples
“I try to patronize local businesses instead of big chains.”
“The local bakery thrives because the neighborhood residents choose to patronize it rather than the national supermarket.”
“While the wealthy elite often patronize the arts, their condescending attitude toward the working class can sometimes undermine the very cultural institutions they claim to support.”
Examples
simple
“I try to patronize local businesses instead of big chains.”
contextual
“The local bakery thrives because the neighborhood residents choose to patronize it rather than the national supermarket.”
complex
“While the wealthy elite often patronize the arts, their condescending attitude toward the working class can sometimes undermine the very cultural institutions they claim to support.”
Real-World Examples
“The shop sits 25 minutes from the US-Canada border and since the "war" ensued Seevers said her business received emails from Canadian customers saying they could not patronise her business "due to anti-Canadian rhetoric".” “Patronise the companies who go the extra mile.” Etymology
From patron + -ize (verb ending); or from Old French patroniser, from Medieval Latin patronizāre (“to lead a galley as patron”). Piecewise doublet of patternize.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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