What does patriotic mean?
Patriotic describes feelings, attitudes, people, or actions associated with devotion to one’s country. It may express pride in a nation’s history, culture, institutions, or way of life, as well as a sense of responsibility toward its citizens or national interests. Common expressions include patriotic duty, patriotic song, and patriotic citizen. The word usually carries a positive connotation, presenting national loyalty as admirable or socially valuable. In political discussion, however, patriotic language can also be used to challenge critics or discourage dissent, so it may suggest uncritical nationalism depending on context. Patriotic derives from the same Greek root as patriot and patriotism, connecting personal loyalty with the broader idea of devotion to a nation.
adjectiveHaving or showing strong love and devotion to one’s country, often expressed through pride in its history, values, institutions, or national identity.
- Feeling or displaying devotion to one’s country and its national interests or identity.
"The ceremony ended with a solemn, patriotic rendition of the national anthem."
"Many citizens joined the patriotic rally wearing their national colours."
"Supporters described the decision as a patriotic defence of national sovereignty."
Patriotic comes from a Greek word for “fatherland,” giving the word a lasting sense of both ancestry and allegiance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does patriotic come from?
The word comes through French patriote from the Greek patriōtēs, meaning “fellow countryman” or “one who belongs to the same fatherland.” The adjective patriotic developed from the related English noun patriot, whose earlier sense was a person loyal to their country. Its modern political sense developed alongside the concept of the nation and the growth of nationalism during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Related word forms
How patriotic is actually used
The adjective is positive in most contexts, although it can occasionally suggest excessive nationalism or unquestioning approval of national policy.