patriot
gb/pˈeɪtɹiət/ us/pˈeɪtɹiət/
B2
English
~ 7500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
person strongly loyal to their country
A person who loves their country very much and wants to help and protect it.
Usage pattern:
a patriot of [country]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'patriot' (a person) with 'patriotism' (the feeling or idea) and 'patriotic' (the adjective). For example, 'He is a patriotism' is incorrect; it should be 'He is a patriot' or 'He has strong patriotism' or 'He is very patriotic'. Learners may also use 'nationalist' when they simply mean 'patriot'; however, 'nationalist' can have a stronger or more negative political meaning in many contexts.
Synonyms
nationalist (Often stronger and more political; can suggest putting one's country above others in an aggressive way.)
|
loyalist (Emphasizes loyalty to a country or ruler; does not always include the emotional love suggested by 'patriot'.)
|
flag-waver (Informal; suggests loud or showy patriotism, sometimes with a slightly negative tone.)
Antonyms
traitor (Someone who betrays their country, the opposite of supporting and defending it.)
Collocations
true patriot
|loyal patriot
|proud patriot
|American patriot
|great patriot
|patriot hero
Themes
politics
|society
|values
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She sees herself as a patriot and volunteers to help veterans in her community.
- Many people called him a patriot for speaking out against corruption in his country.
- During the crisis, every patriot was asked to make personal sacrifices.
- The film tells the story of a young patriot who fights to protect his homeland.
- Some politicians use the word "patriot" to describe anyone who agrees with their policies.
Learner examples
- He is a patriot who loves his country.
- Patriots are ready to work hard for their country.
- She wants to be a good patriot and vote in every election.
- Many patriots joined the army to protect their land.
- People called her a patriot because she helped her country in a difficult time.
Noun
C1
entity
2
American colonist for independence
In American history, a person in the colonies who wanted the United States to be free from Britain during the American Revolution.
Usage pattern:
a Patriot during [historical event]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in this historical sense, 'Patriot' is often capitalized to show it is a specific political group, especially in academic texts. They may also confuse 'Patriot' with the modern NFL team name 'Patriots' or with the general sense of someone who loves their country.
Synonyms
revolutionary (Stresses support for a political revolution; not limited to the American context.)
|
rebel (Highlights opposition to the existing government; can sound more negative or general than 'Patriot' in this historical context.)
Antonyms
Loyalist (A colonist who remained loyal to the British crown, historically the political opposite of a Patriot in the American Revolution.)
Collocations
Patriot forces
|Patriot cause
|Patriot leader
|Patriot militia
|Patriot army
|Patriot victory
Themes
history
|politics
|war
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many Patriots risked their lives and property to fight for independence from Britain.
- The museum display shows how Patriots and Loyalists lived side by side in some towns.
- As a young lawyer, he became a leading Patriot in his colony.
- Patriot militias played a crucial role in several early battles of the American Revolution.
- The book tells the story of a Patriot family divided by war.
Learner examples
- During the American Revolution, many Patriots fought against Britain.
- Some people in the colonies were Patriots, and others were Loyalists.
- A famous Patriot was George Washington.
- The teacher asked us to write about a Patriot from American history.
- Patriots wanted a new country that was free from British rule.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patriot
IPA
GB/pˈeɪtɹiət/
US/pˈeɪtɹiət/
Syllables & stress
pat - ri - ot (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: patriot
- Plural: patriots
Word family
Forms
patriots
noun
Core family
patriotic
adjective B2
patriotism
noun B2
Related words
patriotically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unpatriotic
adjective
Expressions
armchair patriot
1/ˈɑɹmt͡ʃˌɛɹ pˈeɪtɹiət/
idiom
informal
talks patriotism but stays inactive
Someone who talks a lot about loving their country but does not really do anything to help it.
Examples
- He’s just an armchair patriot who complains online but never votes or volunteers.
- Some commentators called them armchair patriots because they waved flags but refused to make any real sacrifices.
Patriot Act
1/pˈeɪtɹiət ˈækt/
fixed phrase
formal
US anti-terrorism security law
The name of a US law made after the September 11 attacks that gave the government more power to watch people and stop terrorism.
Examples
- Civil rights groups criticized parts of the Patriot Act as a threat to privacy.
- The Senator voted against renewing the Patriot Act, arguing that it went too far.
Patriot missile
1/pˈeɪtɹiət mˈɪsəl/
fixed phrase
technical
US air-defense missile system
The name of a type of missile system used by the US and other countries to shoot down enemy planes or missiles.
Examples
- The government agreed to buy Patriot missile systems from the United States.
- Patriot missile batteries were deployed near the border as a defensive measure.
Patriot movement
1/pˈeɪtɹiət mˈuvmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
US anti-federal government movement
A political movement in the US made of groups that do not trust the federal government and strongly support individual freedom and gun rights.
Examples
- The report examines the rise of the Patriot movement in rural areas.
- Some members of the Patriot movement have been linked to anti-government protests.
super patriot
1/sˈupɚ pˈeɪtɹiət/
fixed phrase
informal
extremely patriotic person
A person who is very, very patriotic, sometimes so strong that it seems too much to other people.
Examples
- He became a kind of super patriot after serving in the military.
- Some critics say the film turns the main character into a super patriot who can do no wrong.