Patronize

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpeɪt(ʃ).ɹə.naɪz/, /ˈpæt(ʃ).ɹə.naɪz/

Alternative forms

• patronise Commonwealth

Origin

Old English patron (reborrowed from Latin patronus, derived from Latin pater ("father")) + -ize("(verb ending)").

Full definition of patronize

Verb

1. (transitive) To make a patron.
2. (transitive) To assume a tone of unjustified superiority; to talk down to; to treat condescendingly.
3. (transitive) To make oneself a customer of a business, especially a regular customer.

Synonyms

• (talk down to) condescend