patronize

  • 1patronize — pat‧ron‧ize [ˈpætrənaɪz ǁ ˈpeɪ , ˈpæ ] also patronise verb [transitive] 1. COMMERCE to use or visit a particular shop, restaurant, hotel etc: • Many homosexuals patronize gay owned companies simply because they feel more comfortable there …

    Financial and business terms

  • 2patronize — [v1] condescend be gracious to, be lofty, be overbearing, deign, favor, indulge, look down on*, pat on the back*, snub, stoop, talk down to*, toss a few crumbs*, treat as inferior, treat badly, treat like a child*; concept 384 Ant. be humble, be… …

    New thesaurus

  • 3Patronize — Pa tron*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Patronized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Patronizing}.] 1. To act as patron toward; to support; to countenance; to favor; to aid. [1913 Webster] The idea has been patronized by two States only. A. Hamilton. [1913 Webster] 2 …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4patronize — I (condescend toward) verb assume a lofty bearing, deign, favor, grant, indulge, look down on, lower oneself, oblige, talk down to, treat in a condescending way, vouchsafe II (trade with) verb be a customer of, buy from, deal with, do business… …

    Law dictionary

  • 5patronize — (v.) 1580s, to act as a patron towards, from PATRON (Cf. patron) + IZE (Cf. ize). Meaning treat in a condescending way is first attested 1797; sense of give regular business to is from 1801. Related: Patronized; patronizing …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 6patronize — (Amer.) pa·tron·ize || peɪtrÉ™naɪz / pæt v. be arrogant, behave in a condescending manner; serve as a sponsor, serve as a benefactor; be a regular customer at a store or other business (also patronise) …

    English contemporary dictionary

  • 7patronize — (also patronise) ► VERB 1) treat condescendingly. 2) be a patron of …

    English terms dictionary

  • 8patronize — [pā′trə nīz΄, pa′trən īz΄] vt. patronized, patronizing 1. to act as a patron toward; sponsor; support 2. to be kind or helpful to, but in a haughty or snobbish way, as if dealing with an inferior 3. to be a regular customer of (a store, merchant …

    English World dictionary

  • 9patronize — [[t]pæ̱trənaɪz, AM pe͟ɪt [/t]] patronizes, patronizing, patronized (in BRIT, also use patronise) 1) VERB (disapproval) If someone patronizes you, they speak or behave towards you in a way which seems friendly, but which shows that they think they …

    English dictionary

  • 10patronize — verb (T) 1 to talk to someone as if they are stupid when in fact they are not: Don t patronize me I m not a fool. 2 formal to use or visit a shop, restaurant etc: tourists who patronize the shopping and recreational facilities 3 to support or… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English