Patron means a supporter or sponsor: a person who gives money to artists, a theatre or a charity (a patron of the arts). In formal notices, patrons are the customers of a restaurant, library or hotel. In some languages, similar-looking words mean a lamp holder, a cartridge or a boss, but English patron always refers to a person who supports or visits something. The part of a lamp that holds the bulb is a socket, ammunition for a gun is a cartridge, and the person you work for is your boss.
patron: will you get the meaning right?
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a patron of + the arts/music; the patron of + a charity/festival; patrons (formal) = customers or visitors; the patron saint of + place/job
- The theatre survived the crisis thanks to a local businessman, its most generous patron.
- A well-known actor agreed to become the patron of our animal charity.
- The sign outside the restaurant says the car park is for patrons only.
What changed
First versionThe new bulb doesn't fit into the patron of this old lamp.
RevisionThe new bulb doesn't fit into the socket of this old lamp.
The part of a lamp that you screw a bulb into is a socket. Patron always means a person, so the sentence sounds as if someone is trying to screw a bulb into a sponsor. Unlike similar words in some languages, English patron has no technical meanings.
In the sense of “customer”, patron sounds formal: you see it on signs and in rules. In conversation, people say customers or guests: The café was full of customers. Another trap is the verb patronise. Most often it means “to talk down to someone”: Don't patronise me, I know how to use a computer.
Your turn
I can't leave early today because my ___ wants the sales report on her desk by five.
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boss — The person who wants the sales report by five is a manager, so you need boss. A patron gives money to the arts or to charity but doesn't check reports or set deadlines. In some languages a similar word means “boss”, but in English my patron can't be used this way.
Imagine you are looking for a patron for a project: an exhibition, a festival or an animal shelter. Name the project and write how exactly a patron could help.
Our small street festival needs a patron who could pay for the stage and sound equipment every summer.
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