patron
/ˈpeɪtrən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpeɪtrən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpā-trən for sense 6 also pa-ˈtrōⁿ/ (ame, mw)
patron — noun
- patronsingular
- patronsplural
1. someone who helps an artist, event, charity, or other cause by giving money, inf
someone who helps an artist, event, charity, or other cause by giving money, influence, or public backing.
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.
The theater thanked its patrons after they paid for new seats.
Without a wealthy patron, the history project would have closed early.
Her grandfather served as patron of the town art prize.
- 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
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. someone who goes to a business such as a cafe, bar, library, or hotel to use its
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.
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.
Hotel patrons can use the swimming pool until ten at night.
One angry patron complained about the cold soup to the manager.
On Fridays, the bakery gives free coffee to its oldest patrons.
用法筆記
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.