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

Most of the free days are patriotic in nature, including Presidents' Day (February 16), Memorial Day (May 25), Independence Day weekend (July 3-5), Constitution Day (September 17) and Veterans Day (November 11). —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025

Some want money for college, some want to travel and others see it as a patriotic duty to follow in the footsteps of relatives who've served. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 6 Dec. 2025

And in 2001, people from around the world visited the tree, decorated in patriotic red, white and blue. —Jamie Knodel, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025

To most Americans our brave ICE law enforcement are heroes, which is why ICE received more than 200,000 applications from patriotic Americans who want to help make America safe and see through these pathetic attacks. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 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