Celtic

The word “Celtic” means relating to the Celts, an ancient group of peoples across Western and Central Europe, or their languages and culture. In plain terms, relating to the Celts and their languages, art, and traditions — found historically in places like Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany.

“Celtic” is pronounced KEHL-tihk (/ˈkɛltɪk/ in IPA).

Here is “Celtic” used in a sentence: “The museum has a fine collection of Celtic jewellery.”

“Celtic” is an adjective.

The word “Celtic” comes from Latin. From French celtique or Latin celticus, related to "Celt.".

“Celtic” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Celtic is the umbrella term for an ancient group of peoples across Western and Central Europe and for their family of languages and culture. Gaelic refers to one branch of that family — Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. So all Gaelic languages are Celtic, but Welsh, Breton, and Cornish are Celtic without being Gaelic.

The six living Celtic languages are Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Breton, and Cornish. They descend from languages once spoken across much of Western and Central Europe. Manx and Cornish died out as community languages but have since been revived by learners and campaigners.

The six territories usually called Celtic nations are Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and the Isle of Man, each with a historically Celtic language and culture. Some lists add regions such as Galicia in Spain, though no Celtic language survives there. Membership is cultural and linguistic rather than political.

When referring to the peoples, languages, and culture, the standard modern pronunciation begins with a hard K sound. The soft S pronunciation survives chiefly in the proper names of long-established sports clubs. Both are long-standing in English; the K version became the norm for cultural and linguistic use.