patriotic

adjective

pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈä-tik 

chiefly British ˌpa-

1

: inspired by patriotism

stirring patriotic songs

patriotic organizations

patriotic feelings

2

: befitting or characteristic of a patriot

patriotically

ˌpā-trē-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

chiefly British ˌpa-

adverb

Synonyms of patriotic

• nationalistic
• nationalist

Examples of patriotic in a Sentence

A patriotic fervor swept the country.

hanging a flag outside one's home is a patriotic gesture

Recent Examples on the Web

This being Florida, a chunk of the crowd apparently took that as a cue to launch into a patriotic chant. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026

Flag Day lands in the middle of the month, and this is the patriotic run-up to America’s 250th birthday on July 4. —Jim Geraghty, Washington Post, 2 June 2026

The Black Crowes are facing backlash after shutting down a patriotic chant mid-concert. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

Chef Gordon Ramsay will transform Hell’s Kitchen at The Wharf into an all-day America 250 block party that includes fire cooking, patriotic cocktails and outdoor entertainment. —Taryn White, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patriotic

• aprotic
• aquatic
• biotic
• chaotic
• cirrhotic
• demotic
• despotic
• dichotic
• erotic
• euphotic
• exotic
• fibrotic

Kids Definition

patriotic

adjective

pa·​tri·​ot·​ic ˌpā-trē-ˈät-ik 

1

: having or showing patriotism

2

: suitable or proper for a patriot

patriotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb