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

• nationalist
• nationalistic

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

But that changed in recent years as China’s own film industry became increasingly adept at creating films with impressive production values and often patriotic themes. —Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2025

The American flag knitted into the sweater is stylish and patriotic all at once. —Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Thank you to the patriotic CBP men and women who work every day to make this country safe again. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

Wakim delivers a standup-esque monologue about how young people don’t feel patriotic. —Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

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