patriotic
Americanadjective
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of, like, suitable for, or characteristic of a patriot.
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expressing or inspired by patriotism.
a patriotic ode.
Other Word Forms
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antipatrioticadjective
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antipatrioticallyadverb
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hyperpatrioticadjective
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hyperpatrioticallyadverb
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nonpatrioticadjective
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nonpatrioticallyadverb
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overpatrioticadjective
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overpatrioticallyadverb
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patrioticallyadverb
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propatrioticadjective
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pseudopatrioticadjective
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pseudopatrioticallyadverb
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quasi-patrioticadjective
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quasi-patrioticallyadverb
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semipatrioticadjective
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semipatrioticallyadverb
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ultrapatrioticadjective
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ultrapatrioticlyadverb
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unpatrioticadjective
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unpatrioticallyadverb
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
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.
The holiday weekend will be filled with travel, events and patriotic pride.
From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026
Young people today appear less outwardly patriotic, but many have a different understanding of patriotism.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Coverage from the event highlighted patriotic imagery, Christian iconography and large displays combining crosses, American symbolism and references to the country’s founding.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
Mr. Kshatriya is the American-born son of Indian immigrant scientists, and he has fully absorbed the patriotic values that drove the original space race against the Soviet Union.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
Because many of Feldman’s customers are affiliated with national security, there may have been a patriotic element to this 9/11 Effect.
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
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.
