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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hyperpatrioticadjective
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nonpatrioticadjective
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overpatrioticadjective
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propatrioticadjective
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pseudopatrioticadjective
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quasi-patrioticadjective
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semipatrioticadjective
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ultrapatrioticadjective
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unpatrioticadjective
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antipatrioticallyadverb
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hyperpatrioticallyadverb
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nonpatrioticallyadverb
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overpatrioticallyadverb
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patrioticallyadverb
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pseudopatrioticallyadverb
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quasi-patrioticallyadverb
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semipatrioticallyadverb
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ultrapatrioticlyadverb
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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.
A video also smuggled out of prison showed him singing a patriotic song in the prison yard ahead of execution.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
"Millionaires are a patriotic bunch," the letter states.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence should be more than fireworks, parades and patriotic songs.
From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026
And somewhere north of Richmond, Va., were those mysterious other people called Yankees—very unlike us God-fearing and patriotic Southerners, but Americans all the same.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
He demonstrated the courage and resourcefulness of the underdog, and the power of a less sophisticated but patriotic army against a tested war machine.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
