patriotic

American  

[pey-tree-ot-ik, pa-] / ˌpeɪ triˈɒt ɪk, ˌpæ- /

adjective

1. of, like, suitable for, or characteristic of a patriot.

2. expressing or inspired by patriotism.

   a patriotic ode.

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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."

Example Sentences

This doctrine sounds like a made-up phrase created for a patriotic first-person-shooter video game.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

Sunak’s essay pairs hawkish foreign policy analysis with patriotic nostalgia for how the Royal Navy used to maintain Britain’s position as a “global hegemon.”

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

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

He certainly did add ‘spirit’ to the meetings, and ‘a tone’ to the paper, for his orations convulsed his hearers and his contributions were excellent, being patriotic, classical, comical, or dramatic, but never sentimental.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Related Words

• loyal
• nationalistic