patriotic
gb/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk/ us/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk/
B2
English
~ 6300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
loving and supporting one’s country
Feeling or showing strong love and support for your own country.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is patriotic (about [their country])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "patriotic" with "nationalist". "Nationalist" can sound more political or extreme, while "patriotic" usually just means loving and supporting your country. Also, do not say *"He has a patriotic"* (you need a noun: "He has a patriotic spirit" or "He is patriotic").
Synonyms
nationalistic (Often more political and sometimes negative, suggesting an extreme or aggressive kind of patriotism.)
|
devoted (More general about strong loyalty; only shows patriotism when it is clear the devotion is to one’s country.)
Antonyms
unpatriotic (Direct opposite; not showing love or loyalty to one’s country.)
|
disloyal (General opposite of loyalty; can describe someone who does not support their country.)
Collocations
deeply patriotic
|strongly patriotic
|fiercely patriotic
|patriotic citizen
|patriotic feelings
|patriotic pride
Themes
politics
|society
|values
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She felt very patriotic watching her national team win the final.
- Many patriotic citizens volunteered to help after the disaster.
- He grew more patriotic after serving in the army.
- They sang with patriotic pride during the national anthem.
- Some people see paying taxes as a patriotic duty.
Learner examples
- He is very patriotic and loves his country.
- The soldiers were proud and patriotic.
- People were patriotic during the war and helped each other.
- She feels patriotic when she hears the national song.
- My grandfather is a very patriotic man.
adjective
B2
property
2
expressing love for one’s country
Describing something (a song, holiday, event, etc.) that shows or celebrates love for a country.
Usage pattern:
a patriotic [song / holiday / display / symbol]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "patriotic" can describe any national thing (for example, a "patriotic passport"). Use "patriotic" only when something clearly shows or celebrates love for the country, such as a song, holiday, or event.
Synonyms
national (Often describes things related to a country in general; only clearly patriotic when the context is about pride or celebration.)
|
flag-waving (Informal and sometimes negative or critical, suggesting loud or showy patriotism.)
Antonyms
unpatriotic (Describes things that go against or do not respect the country, the opposite of patriotic events or symbols.)
|
anti-national (Describes acts or messages seen as strongly against the interests or unity of a country.)
Collocations
patriotic song
|patriotic holiday
|patriotic display
|patriotic flag
|patriotic slogan
Themes
culture
|events
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The concert ended with a patriotic song that praised the country’s history.
- Every year they hold a big patriotic parade on Independence Day.
- The store was covered in patriotic decorations for the national holiday.
- The film was criticized as being too patriotic and ignoring the country’s problems.
- She wore a patriotic T‑shirt with the national flag on it.
Learner examples
- They sang a patriotic song at the ceremony.
- We watched a patriotic parade on the national holiday.
- The school put up patriotic posters with the flag.
- He likes to wear patriotic clothes on special days.
- The city had a big patriotic event last weekend.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patriotic
IPA
GB/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk/
US/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk/
Syllables & stress
pat - ri - ot - ic (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ot)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: patriotic
Word family
Core family
patriot
noun B2
patriotism
noun B2
Related words
patriotically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unpatriotic
adjective
Expressions
patriotic duty
1/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk dˈuti/
fixed phrase
moral duty to support country
A strong feeling that you must do something because it is good for your country.
Examples
- Many people saw voting as a patriotic duty.
- During the war, working in the factory was considered a patriotic duty.
- He felt it was his patriotic duty to speak out against corruption.
patriotic fervor
1/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk fˈɚvɚ/
fixed phrase
very strong patriotic feeling
Very strong, excited feelings of love and support for your country.
Examples
- The crowd cheered with patriotic fervor as the team entered the stadium.
- The speech was full of patriotic fervor and emotional language.
- Patriotic fervor was high during the early days of the conflict.
patriotic holiday
1/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk hˈɑlɪdˌeɪ/
fixed phrase
national holiday celebrating country
A public holiday that celebrates a country, its history, or its important people.
Examples
- Independence Day is the biggest patriotic holiday of the year.
- Schools are closed for the patriotic holiday next week.
- People travel home to be with family on patriotic holidays.
patriotic slogan
1/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk slˈoʊɡən/
fixed phrase
short phrase showing patriotism
A short, easy-to-remember phrase that shows love or support for a country.
Examples
- The campaign used a simple patriotic slogan on all its posters.
- Crowds shouted patriotic slogans during the march.
- The T‑shirts had a patriotic slogan printed on the front.
patriotic song
1/pˌeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk sˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
song praising one’s country
A song that talks about loving and being proud of your country.
Examples
- The band played a patriotic song before the football game started.
- Children learned a patriotic song for the national holiday.
- They ended the ceremony with a well-known patriotic song.