Welsh

1 of 2

noun

ˈwelsh How to pronounce Welsh (audio) ˈwelch How to pronounce Welsh (audio)
variants or less commonly Welch
ˈwelch How to pronounce Welsh (audio)
1
plural in construction : the natives or inhabitants of Wales
2
: the Celtic language of the Welsh people
3
: welsh pony
Welsh adjective
or less commonly Welch

welsh, welsher

2 of 2
ˈwelsh How to pronounce welsh (audio) ˈwelch How to pronounce welsh (audio)

variants of welch, welcher

intransitive verb

1
informal + sometimes offensive : to avoid payment
—used with on
2
informal + sometimes offensive : to break one's work : renege

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English Walsche, Welsse, from walisch, welisch, adjective, Welsh, from Old English wælisc, welisc foreign, British, Welsh, from Old English Wealh foreigner, Briton, Welshman, of Celtic origin; akin to the source of Latin Volcae, a Celtic people of southeastern Gaul

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of Welsh was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing Welsh

Dictionary Entries Near Welsh

Welsbach

Welsh

welsh

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Welsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Welsh. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

Welsh

noun
ˈwelsh How to pronounce Welsh (audio)
also
ˈwelch How to pronounce Welsh (audio)
1
Welsh plural : people born or living in Wales
2
: the Celtic language of the Welsh people
Welsh adjective
Etymology

Noun

Old English Wealh "Welshman, foreigner"; of Celtic origin — related to walnut see Word History at walnut

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