adj
Common
Scottish
SKOT-ihsh
Scottish (adj) means relating to Scotland, its people, or its culture. Example: “She has a strong Scottish accent.”
adj
1
Relating to Scotland, its people, or its culture.
"She has a strong Scottish accent."
"The band mixes Scottish folk music with rock."
noun
1
The people of Scotland, collectively.
"The Scottish are known for their hospitality."
How to use Scottish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe adjective and collective noun for Scotland and its people.
UK vs US
Scottish is the standard modern term; Scotch is now mostly reserved for whisky, eggs, and a handful of fixed phrases, and is considered old-fashioned or even offensive when applied to people.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
Scottish accent
Scottish Highlands
Scottish Parliament
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more Scottish
- Superlative
- most Scottish
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She has a strong _____ accent.
Etymology
From Old English Scyttisc, built from Scot plus the adjective ending -ish; it is a close cousin of the words Scotch and Scot.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “Scottish” mean?
The word “Scottish” means relating to Scotland, its people, or its culture. In plain terms, the adjective and collective noun for Scotland and its people.
How do you pronounce “Scottish”?
“Scottish” is pronounced SKOT-ihsh (/ˈskɑ.tɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Scottish” in a sentence?
Here is “Scottish” used in a sentence: “She has a strong Scottish accent.”
What part of speech is “Scottish”?
Depending on how it is used, “Scottish” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Scottish” come from?
The word “Scottish” comes from Old English. From Old English Scyttisc, built from Scot plus the adjective ending -ish; it is a close cousin of the words Scotch and Scot.
Is “Scottish” a common word?
“Scottish” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Scottish” have?
“Scottish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Scotland, its people, or its culture.
What is the difference between Scottish and Scotch?
'Scottish' (or 'Scots') is the correct adjective for the people, culture and country of Scotland — Scottish music, a Scottish accent. 'Scotch' is now used mainly for certain products, such as Scotch whisky, Scotch eggs and Scotch broth. Describing a person as 'Scotch' is considered old-fashioned and best avoided.
What is the difference between Scottish and Scots?
Both are correct. 'Scots' is often preferred for people and for the Scots language, as in 'a Scotsman' or 'the Scots'. 'Scottish' works broadly as the general adjective for anything relating to Scotland. In most contexts the two are interchangeable, though 'Scots' can sound a little more traditional.
What is an example of something Scottish?
Tartan cloth, kilts, bagpipes and the Highland games are all strongly associated with Scottish culture. So are foods like haggis and shortbread, the Scots and Scottish Gaelic languages, and landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle. Anything relating to Scotland, its people or its traditions can be called Scottish.
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