compatriots - Master This Word
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compatriots Word Meanings
- a fellow citizen of the same country
- a person from the same group or community
compatriots Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
- My compatriot is also my friend.
- We traveled with our compatriots.
- He helped his compatriots in need.
- She is proud of her compatriots.
- They celebrated with their compatriots.
compatriots Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/kəmˈpæt.ri.ət/
US
/kəmˈpeɪ.tri.ət/
compatriots Word Etymology
Root decomposition: com- (with) + patriota (from 'patria', meaning fatherland). Historical origin: Latin → Old French → English. Memory image: Imagine gathering with friends in your homeland, united by shared experiences and culture, as true compatriots.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Compatriot is a noun meaning a fellow citizen of the same country, and it can also refer to a person from the same group or community with a shared national or cultural background. The term emphasizes origin or allegiance more than personal friendship, and you’ll see it in formal writing, political speeches, or patriotic discourse. You might refer to compatriots at a national festival or in support of a country during international competition. It is not typically used for casual acquaintances or colleagues from other countries, and it pairs with related terms like countryman or fellow citizen. In practice, it can feel warm yet slightly formal.
Usage Reminders
- Use as a noun to mean a fellow citizen
- Emphasize national origin over personal friendship
- Common in formal writing or patriotic contexts
- Can refer to members of a group or community, not just individuals
- Not for casual acquaintances from other countries
Common Misconceptions
- People assume it means a close personal friend, which it does not
- Believing it can only refer to someone from your own town
- Thinking it is always informal; it is often formal
- Assuming it refers to ethnicity rather than nationality
- Confusing it with 'countryman' or 'colleague' in non-national contexts
Thinking Differences
Compatriot is a formal term that foregrounds national origin; English speakers often reserve it for collective or patriotic contexts, not close personal ties.
Learning Tips
- Compare with countryman and fellow citizen to see nuances
- Note formal vs casual contexts
- Use plural form 'compatriots' for a group
- Recognize it often appears in patriotic language
- Practice nomination: 'my compatriots' vs 'my friends from abroad'
- Watch for tone shifts in speeches
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