adjective
patriotic
pay-tree-AH-tik/ˌpeɪtriˈɑːtɪk/
Showing love or loyalty to one's country.
The patriotic spectator holds her hand over her heart while facing the flag.
Etymology
The base meant a fellow countryman, not necessarily a devoted supporter. Patriotic shifted from describing something belonging to one's own country to expressing loyalty and concern for its welfare.
In context
I'm extremely patriotic but I should be one of the first people to say, 'No.' When it's my country wrong." If my country wrong, that's patriotic to say it's wrong.
More examples
- They sang patriotic songs.
- Her speech appealed to patriotic feeling.
- He regarded public service as a patriotic duty.
Forms
patriotic
patriotism noun — love or loyalty for one’s country
Similar words
- loyal
- Can describe devotion to any person or group.
- nationalistic
- Often emphasizes national superiority or political identity.