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nationalist

Etymology and origin of the English word nationalist

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1715

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈnæʃ.ə.nə.lɪst/, /ˈnæʃ.nə.lɪst/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from national and -ist,[2][3] from national in a now obsolete sense, patriotic or devoted to one's own country (1711).[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

One devoted to his nation: 1715.[2][4][3]

Semantic evolution

In theology a nationalist held that whole nations, not single persons, are chosen by God (1836 in Etymonline, 1846 in the OED).[2][4] In 19th-century Britain it often meant one who sought independence for a nation, especially Ireland (1869).[2][4] The adjective nationalistic is from 1866, and Nationalist in party names from 1884.[4][3]

Timeline

  • 1715 – a nationalist.[2][4]
  • 1836 – nationalist (theology).[2]
  • 1866 – nationalistic.[4]
  • 1869 – an Irish nationalist.[4]
  • 1884 – Nationalist parties.[4]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. An advocate of nationalism; a person who strives for the unity, independence or interests of a nation.
  2. A member of a party seeking national independence or home rule, such as the Irish Nationalists.

Adjective

  1. Of, relating to or advocating nationalism.

Word family

  • nationalistically
  • antinationalist
  • nationalistic
  • pronationalist
  • ultranationalist
  • black nationalist

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Nationalist.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/nationalist. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·