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

The patriotic ethos of Cold War–era public schools reinforced his sense of American ideals. —Peter S. Canellos, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026

These patriotic pops require fresh lemon and lime juice to create every layer. —Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026

At key moments of inflection, business leaders have often, if selectively, and even reluctantly, risen as a unified voice of patriotic purpose and moral authority. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026

Still buzzing from the patriotic song and early goal, Flyers fans erupted only moments later when Travis Konecny and Boston's Charlie McAvoy briefly scrapped near the net. —CBS News, 5 Apr. 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