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

Biel joked of their patriotic accessories. —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026

The team will also give away three kinds of hats — a waffle beanie, a western snapback and a home-and-away bucket hat — as well as an opening series scarf, a 1998 belt bag, a puffer vest, a patriotic aloha shirt, a poncho and a superhero pocket tee. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026

The holiday typically falls on the third Monday in February every year as one of the nation’s patriotic celebrations. —Emery Glover, Des Moines Register, 26 Jan. 2026

There are many ways to think about patriotic duties to our country in the year of our 250th birthday of the United States. —Brandon Busteed, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1737, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for patriotic

• abiotic
• aeronautic
• apoptotic
• asymptotic
• cyanotic
• eukaryotic
• idiotic
• meiotic
• prebiotic
• probiotic
• prokaryotic
• semiotic

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