patriotic

American

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

adjective

of, like, suitable for, or characteristic of a patriot.
expressing or inspired by patriotism.

a patriotic ode.

Other Word Forms

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."

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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

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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.

Adams is presented as a loutish rabble-rouser, but there’s no doubting Lawson’s moral certainty or patriotic intent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

Coexisting with the amazing athletic skill, physical intelligence and grit, there was a type of insecure performative patriotic hypermasculinity.

From Salon • Jun. 17, 2026

A large section is devoted to the album's title track, still mistakenly regarded as a patriotic anthem by some, even though it was written to condemn US treatment of Vietnam War veterans.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

The last of these, with its red-white-and-blue pageantry dripping with patriotic pride, seems to be of particular interest to the president.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Three bulldozers puttered by in a row, decorated with patriotic streamers.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023