patriotic
Americanadjective
-
of, like, suitable for, or characteristic of a patriot.
-
expressing or inspired by patriotism.
a patriotic ode.
Other Word Forms
- antipatriotic adjective
- antipatriotically adverb
- hyperpatriotic adjective
- hyperpatriotically adverb
- nonpatriotic adjective
- nonpatriotically adverb
- overpatriotic adjective
- overpatriotically adverb
- patriotically adverb
- propatriotic adjective
- pseudopatriotic adjective
- pseudopatriotically adverb
- quasi-patriotic adjective
- quasi-patriotically adverb
- semipatriotic adjective
- semipatriotically adverb
- ultrapatriotic adjective
- ultrapatrioticly adverb
- unpatriotic adjective
- unpatriotically adverb
Etymology
Origin of patriotic
1645–55; < Late Latin patriōticus < Greek patriōtikós. See patriot, -ic
Explanation
Respect for the country's flag, a desire to see your nation succeed, and a deep, abiding love of your country are all patriotic expressions, but being patriotic doesn’t mean you think your country’s perfect — just that you love it. The Greek word patēr, which means father, was the basis for the word patris, or native land, and so patriotic came to mean "a love of country." In the 18th century, the word was formed from the word patriot by adding the suffix -ic, which turns a noun into an adjective. An example of a patriotic comment would be this one, by President Bill Clinton: "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."
Vocabulary lists containing patriotic
Star-Spangled Vocabulary: Patriotic Words
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Not Your Father's Word List: Pater, Patr
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Nothing But the Truth
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So when a lucrative commission comes to Y, inviting him to compose a patriotic anthem for the “victory generation,” you already know what his answer is.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
When war was declared, David recanted his previously strong pro-German views and toed a patriotic line.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Staff at a North Korean restaurant in Dandong forbade AFP journalists from filming or taking photos of a large screen showing a patriotic music and dance performance.
From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026
The patriotic education lessons are known is Russian as "Conversations about Important Things".
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
“Please don’t try to change the subject,” I beg her, wondering whether she’s about to launch into a speech about how I failed my patriotic duty.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
