Words / C1

PATR-uh-nyz/ˈpætrənaɪz/

To patronise is to treat someone as if they were less intelligent or important; also to be a regular customer (UK spelling): patronise the night slice, patronise a café. Talk down is everyday; calling a slice noise is still a methods fail.

Meaning

To treat someone as if they were less intelligent or important; also to be a regular customer (UK spelling).

Examples

• “Do not patronise the night slice as “noise”; put it in the n.”
• “Talk down is everyday. Condescend is the close twin. Noise is a slogan. A cell is a count. Put the number in; then keep the manners if the finding still stands.”

Good to know

Talk down to; also frequent as a customer (UK). Close: condescend. “Noise” ≠ a named slice.

Near in meaning

condescend, talk down, look down on

New