adjective
- displaying or indicative of an offensively condescending manner: a patronizing greeting, accompanied by a gentle pat on the pack.
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.
adjective
- having a superior manner; condescending
verb
- to behave or treat in a condescending way
- (tr) to act as a patron or patroness by sponsoring or bringing trade to
adj.1727, past participle adjective from patronize. Related: Patronizingly. v.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.