patronize

[pey-truh-nahyz, pa‐]

verb (used with object), pa·tron·ized, pa·tron·iz·ing.

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

to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward: a professor who patronizes his students.

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

Also especially British, pa·tron·ise.

Origin of patronize

First recorded in 1580–90; patron + -ize

Related formspa·tron·iz·a·ble, adjectivepa·tron·i·za·tion, nounpa·tron·iz·er, nounre·pa·tron·ize, verb (used with object), re·pa·tron·ized, re·pa·tron·iz·ing.trans·pa·tron·ize, verb (used with object), trans·pa·tron·ized, trans·pa·tron·iz·ing.un·pa·tron·iz·a·ble, adjectivewell-pa·tron·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for patronise

Historical Examples of patronise

If we patronise "Irish manufacture," it is because we cannot afford English.
Nuts and Nutcrackers
Charles James Lever
"Patronise Lewis; he cut this trail at his own expense," pleaded one.
Ten Thousand Miles with a Dog Sled
Hudson Stuck
But I have friends whom they patronise, and my mind is quite open on the subject.
Sketches in Lavender, Blue and Green
Jerome K. Jerome
Did you ever know your friend Tarbolt patronise this institution before?
Brother Copas
Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
She did not know how it was, but it was very difficult to patronise Mr Hope.
Deerbrook
Harriet Martineau

British Dictionary definitions for patronise

patronize

patronise

verb

to behave or treat in a condescending way

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

Derived Formspatronizer or patroniser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for patronise

chiefly British English spelling of patronize (q.v.); for suffix, see -ize.

patronize

1580s, "to act as a patron towards," from patron + -ize, or from Old French patroniser. Meaning "treat in a condescending way" is first attested 1797; sense of "give regular business to" is from 1801. Related: Patronized; patronizing.