How to pronounce patronize
Say it like PAY-truh-nyze. Patronize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce patronize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAY
- truh
- nyze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Patronize pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- truhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- nyzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of patronize
American and British speakers say patronize in essentially the same way: /ˈpeɪtrəˌnaɪz/ in the US and /ˈpætrəˌnaɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: PAT-ruh-nyze.
What does patronize mean?
- To act as a patron of; to defend, protect, or support.
- To be a customer of (an establishment), especially a regular customer.
- To treat condescendingly; to talk down to.
Where does patronize come from?
From patron + -ize (verb ending); or from Old French patronizer, from Medieval Latin patronizāre (“to lead a galley as patron”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying patronize
How do you pronounce patronize?
Say PAY-truh-nyze. The American pronunciation is /ˈpeɪtrəˌnaɪz/. In British English it is /ˈpætrəˌnaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in patronize?
Patronize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PAY). Broken into parts: PAY · truh · nyze.
Do Americans and Brits say patronize the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpeɪtrəˌnaɪz/ and the British form is /ˈpætrəˌnaɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.