# patriotism

/ˈpeɪtɹiəˌtɪzəm/ (US) · /pˈætɹɪətˌɪzəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/patriotism
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. love of country

noun · CEFR B2

the feeling of love and pride you have for your country and the desire to support it.

For teachers: the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country. Uncountable in its general sense.

- The soldiers were motivated by a deep sense of patriotism and duty.
- Critics argued that the politician was using empty displays of patriotism to distract the public from failing domestic policies.

### 2. nationalism

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a strong belief that your country is better or more important than others.

For teachers: an intense form of national pride that may include a desire to compete with or dominate other nations. Often carries a more critical or political nuance than simple affection for a homeland.

- In some cases, extreme patriotism can lead to tension between different countries.
- The historian distinguished between civic patriotism, based on shared values, and the aggressive patriotism that often fuels border disputes.

Usage: Often used with adjectives like 'blind', 'aggressive', or 'unquestioning' when describing this more intense version.

## Examples

- His patriotism grew stronger during the war.
- The national anthem stirred deep patriotism among the crowd.
- Her patriotism was not blind; she supported her country while openly criticizing its failures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.