English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adjective B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

patriotic

pat-ree-O-tihk

Patriotic (adjective) means showing strong love and support for one's country. Example: “Fireworks and flag-waving are common on patriotic holidays.”

adjective
1
Showing strong love and support for one's country.
"Fireworks and flag-waving are common on patriotic holidays."
"She felt a patriotic surge of pride watching the team compete internationally."

How to use patriotic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishShowing devotion and pride toward your own country.

Common pairings
patriotic song patriotic duty feel patriotic

Word forms

more patriotic comparative, patriotics plural, most patriotic superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “patriotic” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Fireworks and flag-waving are common on _____ holidays.

Etymology

From French patriotique, tracing back to the same Greek root as patriot.

Origin: French

nationalistic loyal flag-waving

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for patriotic

See all rhymes for patriotic →

Frequently asked questions

What does “patriotic” mean?

The word “patriotic” means showing strong love and support for one's country. In plain terms, showing devotion and pride toward your own country.

How do you pronounce “patriotic”?

“Patriotic” is pronounced pat-ree-O-tihk (/peɪ.tɹiˈɑ.tɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “patriotic” in a sentence?

Here is “patriotic” used in a sentence: “Fireworks and flag-waving are common on patriotic holidays.”

What is the opposite of “patriotic”?

The opposite of “patriotic” — its antonyms — is unpatriotic.

What part of speech is “patriotic”?

“Patriotic” is an adjective.

Where does the word “patriotic” come from?

The word “patriotic” comes from French. From French patriotique, tracing back to the same Greek root as patriot.

Is “patriotic” a common word?

“Patriotic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between patriotic and patriot?

Patriotic is an adjective describing something that shows strong love and support for one's country, such as "a patriotic song," while patriot is the noun referring to the person who holds that love and devotion. You would call a person a patriot but describe their actions or feelings as patriotic.

What is the difference between patriotic and nationalistic?

Patriotic generally describes positive love and support for one's country, while nationalistic often implies a stronger, sometimes exclusionary belief in national superiority or interest. Patriotic is typically viewed more favourably than nationalistic in everyday usage.

What are common collocations with patriotic?

Patriotic frequently pairs with nouns like "duty," "song," "fervor," "pride," and "display," as in "patriotic duty" or "patriotic fervor." These phrases commonly appear around national holidays and civic events.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial