Reading Theme:
Patriotic: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：love for one's country (patriotic)
patriotic
/ˌpeɪtriˈɒtɪk/
adj.
Feeling a strong love and pride for your country.
love for one's country
➕
/lʌv fɔː wʌnz ˈkʌntri/
adj.
Describes the deep emotional attachment, pride, and sense of belonging one feels towards their nation.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Greek 'patrios' (of one's fathers, fatherland) + Latin 'patriota' (fellow countryman) + suffix '-ic'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a 'Patriot' missile defending its homeland. 'Patriotic' is the adjective for that defending, loving spirit.
📖 Example
During the National Day celebrations, the whole city was decorated with flags, and the patriotic atmosphere made everyone feel united.
During the National Day celebrations, the whole city was decorated with flags, and the atmosphere of love for the country made everyone feel united.
🔗 Collocations
patriotic song – a song expressing love and pride for one's country
patriotic duty – a responsibility felt out of love for one's country
patriotic fervor – intense and passionate patriotic feeling
🔄 Synonyms
nationalistic (adj.) – having strong devotion to one's own nation, sometimes excessively
loyal (adj.) – showing firm and constant support
devoted (adj.) – very loving or loyal
🚫 Antonyms
unpatriotic (adj.) – not showing love or support for one's country
traitorous (adj.) – involving betrayal of one's country
disloyal (adj.) – failing to be loyal
🌱 Derivatives
patriotism (n.) – the quality of being patriotic; devotion to one's country
patriot (n.) – a person who vigorously supports their country
📖 Cultural Story
The word emerged in the 18th century, heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideals. It reflects a shift from loyalty to a monarch towards devotion to a nation-state as a political and cultural entity, originally describing feelings for entities like the Roman Republic.
Meaning 2：supporting one's country (patriotic)
patriotic
/ˌpeɪtriˈɒtɪk/
adj.
Showing support for your country through your actions and choices.
supporting one's country
➕
/səˈpɔːtɪŋ wʌnz ˈkʌntri/
adj.
Describes actions, choices, or behaviors that demonstrate practical support for one's nation, often in economic or social contexts.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She made a patriotic decision to buy locally-made goods to support the country's economy.
She made a decision that supported her country by buying locally-made goods to bolster the national economy.
🔗 Collocations
patriotic consumer – a buyer who intentionally purchases domestic products
patriotic choice – a decision made to benefit one's nation
patriotically sourced – obtained from domestic suppliers or producers
🔄 Synonyms
chauvinistic (adj.) – showing excessive or biased patriotism
jingoistic (adj.) – characterized by extreme patriotism, especially in advocating aggressive foreign policy
xenophobic (adj.) – having a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries
🚫 Antonyms
internationalist (adj.) – advocating cooperation and understanding between nations
cosmopolitan (adj.) – familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures
globalist (adj.) – relating to or supporting the interests of the whole world
🌱 Derivatives
patriotically (adv.) – in a way that shows support for one's country
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