UK also patronising uk ​ /ˈpætrənaɪzɪŋ/ us ​ /ˈpeɪtrənaɪzɪŋ/. › treating someone as if they are stupid or not important: patronizing to sb Of those that had seen the commercial, 26% found it patronizing to women and 17% patronizing to men. a patronizing attitude/tone.