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I'm pretty sure there's a word for that. Unfortunately, searching for the antonym of patronage didn't yield any results.

Example sentence:

Since I became a __ I haven't had to worry about money anymore.

Centaurus
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wyc
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  • Related and possible duplicate: http://english.stackexchange.com/q/176770/2085 – tchrist Dec 31 '16 at 14:36
  • Shop keepers often say, “Thank you for your patronage” when they leave the store. So since I became a shopkeeper .... – Jim Dec 31 '16 at 18:36

2 Answers2

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I wholeheartedly recommend the Reverse Dictionary at onelook.com. Searching for recipient of patronage gives, among other less relevant suggestions, all of the following.

  • protégé [probably the best word]
  • client
  • concern
  • dependant
  • favourite
  • almsman
  • beneficiary
Andrew Leach
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    I think "client" is the best choice. It's commonly used in e.g. Roman history (where the patron/client relationship was a cultural norm), or international politics ("client state"). Pprotégé I think carries the connotation of a younger person being mentored, – jamesqf Dec 31 '16 at 18:46
  • @jamesqf - I too would associate a protégé with some transfer of skills rather than just money. I think I would find "client" in the example sentence somewhat confusing though. In common (non archaic) usage a client is a customer and someone paying for a service rather than receiving financial assistance. – Martin Smith Dec 31 '16 at 19:16
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Not a word in common use in my experience but patronee apparently exists.

Oxford Dictionaries includes the definition

A recipient of patronage.

Early 19th century; earliest use found in Sydney Smith (1771–1845)

Community
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Martin Smith
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