patriot
PAY-tree-uht
Patriot (noun) means a person who loves their country and is strongly devoted to supporting and defending it. Example: “He served in the army out of a genuine sense of himself as a patriot.”
noun
1
A person who loves their country and is strongly devoted to supporting and defending it.
"Bad news for a certain kind of pedantic patriot (look away now, Jacob Rees-Mogg). Prince Charles has debased the English language – and in a letter to a foreign potentate, no less."
— David Shariatmadari, Ize on the prize: is Prince Charles the last guardian of British spelling? (2019)
"'My country, right or wrong,' is a thing that no patriot would think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying, 'My mother, drunk or sober.'"
— Gilbert Keith Chesterton, A Defence of Patriotism (1901)
"He served in the army out of a genuine sense of himself as a patriot."
"The film celebrates the ordinary patriots who kept the resistance alive."
"Nothing beats a gunboat. HMS Illustrious glided out of Portsmouth on Monday, past HMS Victory and cheering crowds of patriots. Within a week it will be off Gibraltar, a mere cannon shot from Cape Trafalgar."
— Simon Jenkins, Gibraltar and the Falklands deny the logic of history (2013)
"The old soldier was a proud patriot who flew the flag every morning."
How to use patriot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone devoted to their own country.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
true patriot
loyal patriot
patriot act
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Word forms
- Plural
- patriots
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He served in the army out of a genuine sense of himself as a _____.
Etymology
From French patriote, from Late Latin patriōta ("fellow countryman"), from Greek patriōtēs, ultimately from patēr ("father").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for patriot
See all rhymes for patriot →Frequently asked questions
What does “patriot” mean?
The word “patriot” means a person who loves their country and is strongly devoted to supporting and defending it. In plain terms, someone devoted to their own country.
How do you pronounce “patriot”?
“Patriot” is pronounced PAY-tree-uht (/ˈpeɪ.tɹi.ət/ in IPA).
How do you use “patriot” in a sentence?
Here is “patriot” used in a sentence: “He served in the army out of a genuine sense of himself as a patriot.”
What is the opposite of “patriot”?
The opposite of “patriot” — its antonyms — is Loyalist.
What part of speech is “patriot”?
“Patriot” is a noun.
Where does the word “patriot” come from?
The word “patriot” comes from Late Latin. From French patriote, from Late Latin patriōta ("fellow countryman"), from Greek patriōtēs, ultimately from patēr ("father").
Is “patriot” a common word?
“Patriot” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a patriot and a nationalist?
A patriot loves their country and is devoted to supporting and defending it, while a nationalist often takes this further, emphasizing national superiority or interest above other nations. Patriot generally carries a more neutral or positive connotation than nationalist in common usage.
Is patriot always used as a compliment?
Patriot is usually used positively to describe genuine love and devotion to one's country, but it can occasionally be used sarcastically or critically when someone's claimed patriotism is seen as excessive or self-serving. Context determines whether the term is sincere or ironic.
What is the adjective form of patriot?
The adjective form of patriot is patriotic, used to describe actions, feelings, or symbols that show strong love and support for one's country, as in "a patriotic speech."
