Definitions
- Referring to a regular customer of a business or establishment. - Describing someone who supports or donates to a particular organization or cause. - Talking about a person who frequents a particular place, such as a library or museum.
- Referring to a person who buys goods or services from a business. - Describing someone who is the recipient of a particular product or service. - Talking about a person who engages in commercial transactions with a company or organization.
List of Similarities
- 1Both refer to people who engage with a business or organization.
- 2Both involve some form of commercial transaction.
- 3Both are important to the success of a business or organization.
- 4Both can be used interchangeably in some contexts.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Patron is more commonly used in the context of arts, culture, and non-profit organizations, while customer is more commonly used in the context of commercial businesses.
- 2Relationship: Patron implies a closer relationship between the person and the business or organization, while customer is more transactional.
- 3Frequency: Patron implies a regular or recurring engagement with the business or organization, while customer can refer to a one-time or occasional engagement.
- 4Connotation: Patron has a more positive connotation, implying support and loyalty, while customer can have a neutral or negative connotation, implying a focus on profit and sales.
Remember this!
Patron and customer both refer to people who engage with a business or organization, but they differ in their usage, relationship, frequency, connotation, and etymology. Patron is more commonly used in the context of arts, culture, and non-profit organizations, and implies a closer and more positive relationship between the person and the business or organization. Customer is more commonly used in the context of commercial businesses, and implies a more transactional and neutral or negative relationship.
