English Reference
adjective · noun

patriotic

adj. · n.
US /ˌpeɪtɹiˈɑtɪk/ UK /pˌætɹɪˈɒtɪk/ pa·tri·ot·ic

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.showing love, support, and pride for your own country.

    adj.expressing or inspired by devotion to one's nation.

    Simple

    Many people felt patriotic and hung flags from their windows during the national holiday.

    In context

    The politician's speech appealed to patriotic sentiments, urging the citizens to unite for the common good of the nation during the economic crisis.

    traitorousdisloyal
  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Technical

    n.a postage stamp or small coin that has a picture of a national symbol on it.

    n.a postage stamp, medal, or token, particularly from the American Civil War era, bearing a nationalistic design.

    Simple

    The collector showed me a rare patriotic from the 1860s featuring an eagle.

    In context

    Numismatists often distinguish between official government issues and the various patriotics minted by private tradesmen during the currency shortages of the nineteenth century.

    Usage

    Usually refers to historical collectibles rather than modern currency.

Nick Lowles, the group's CEO, said Thomas had "been upfront about his intention to create a 'patriotic army that is able to take control of the United Kingdom'".

BBC News· 11 Sept 2026

Carney pulled on patriotic heart strings by saying Canada has been through times like these before, but pulled through.

Toronto Sun· 8 Sept 2026

From French patriotique, from Late Latin patriōticus, from Ancient Greek πατριωτικός (patriōtikós), from πατριώτης (patriṓtēs), equivalent to patriot + -ic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated