patron

patron — noun

1. someone who helps an artist, event, charity, or other cause by giving money, inf

1.nounC1
Definition

someone who helps an artist, event, charity, or other cause by giving money, influence, or public backing.

Example

A local bank became the main patron of the summer music festival.

patron of + event or organization

For twenty years, Mrs. Lin was a generous patron of young painters.

Common collocations
  • major patron
  • patron of the arts
  • corporate patron
  • royal patron
  • serve as patron of
Synonyms
  • sponsor

    often used for financial support of an event, team, or person

  • benefactor

    usually suggests generous giving, often to a charity or school

  • backer

    less formal; often used for business or political support

  • supporter

    broadest term; not always linked to money or status

Antonyms
  • opponent

    someone who works against a cause or plan

  • critic

    someone who expresses disapproval rather than support

Usage Note

Often used in art, charity, and public-life contexts, especially for people or groups that give money or status. Distinguish from sense 2: a patron here supports the work itself, not simply buys a ticket or meal.

Common Mistakes

She is a patron for local artists.
She is a patron of local artists.
after 'patron', 'of' is the usual preposition for the people or work being supported.
The museum's patrons just bought tickets and left.
The museum's patrons donated money to support its work.
in this sense, patrons help fund or back the institution.

2. someone who goes to a business such as a cafe, bar, library, or hotel to use its

2.nounB2
Definition

someone who goes to a business such as a cafe, bar, library, or hotel to use its services or buy things there, often more than once.

Example

Several patrons waited outside the cafe before it opened at seven.

patrons of a shop, bar, or cafe

The bartender already knew most patrons by name.

Common collocations
  • bar patron
  • restaurant patron
  • library patron
  • regular patron
  • hotel patron
Synonyms
  • customer

    the usual general word for someone who buys from a business

  • client

    more common when a professional service is provided

  • guest

    used especially for hotels and some restaurants

  • shopper

    used mainly for people buying goods in shops

Usage Note

Common in formal notices for restaurants, bars, libraries, and hotels, and often appears in the plural. Distinguish from sense 1: these patrons use the service, but they are not sponsors.

Common Mistakes

I was patron at that bar for years.
I was a patron of that bar for years.
with a singular count noun, you normally need an article.
The library needs more patrons to pay for a new building.
The library needs more donors to pay for a new building.
in this sense, patrons are users of the service, not people giving money for a project.

Word family

  • patronage
    nounC2
  • patronize
    verbC1
  • patronizing
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For sense 1, 'patron' suggests someone who gives steady help, money, or social influence to an artist, group, or cause. 'Sponsor' often sounds more practical or public, especially for events, teams, or advertising. 'Benefactor' stresses generous giving and is common for schools, charities, or museums. 'Backer' is less formal and often appears in business, film, or politics. 'Supporter' is the broadest word and may describe emotional, public, or financial support. A woman who gives money to a young violinist can be that musician's patron or benefactor. A company that pays for a city marathon is usually called its sponsor.

patron ↗sponsor ↗benefactorbackersupporter ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • long-time patron

Phrases

  • be a patron of [place, artist, or cause]

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle English

Patron came into English through Old French from Latin patronus, a word for a protector, defender, or supporter. That Latin word was related to pater, meaning 'father', because a patron was seen as someone with authority who offered help. English kept the idea of support in uses such as a patron of the arts, and later also used the word for a customer of a business.