patronising

adjective (patronising; more patronising); also the -ing form of the verb patronise (patronise, patronises, patronised, patronising); US spelling patronizing

«patronising» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

Talking to someone or treating them as if they were less clever or less important than you, in a kind-seeming but rude way. tree →
verb form: Being a regular customer of a shop or business (formal). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and wellbeing lessons, a patronising tone sounds like "Oh, well done, sweetie" said to a grown person, or talking down to children. It hurts because it seems friendly but shows no respect. In writing, it describes a character who looks down on others.

Examples

"Don't be patronising; I can tie my own shoes!" tree →
His patronising smile made her angry. tree →
The waiter's patronising voice annoyed Grandad. tree →
She explained it slowly in a patronising way. tree →
Speaking to the new girl as if she were a baby was patronising. tree →
Many families have been patronising the corner shop for years. tree →

Note

UK spelling: patronising; US: patronizing. Verb: patronise. The second meaning (being a customer) is formal and old-fashioned. Opposite in attitude: respectful.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «patronising» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«patronising» in the school dictionary on Mova free.

This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/patronising/