Welsh
Welsh (adj) means relating to Wales, its people, culture, or language. Example: “She grew up speaking Welsh at home.”
How to use Welsh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to Wales and its people or language — as an adjective/noun this is entirely neutral; the verb sense (failing to pay a debt) has a disputed and possibly offensive background, so many writers now avoid it.
Best to avoid the verb usage ("to welsh on a bet") in formal writing given its uncertain and potentially offensive origin — use "renege" or "default" instead.
Word forms
more welsh comparative, welshed past tense, Welsh plural, Welshes plural, welshes singular, most welsh superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She grew up speaking _____ at home.
Etymology
From Old English wælisc, originally meaning "foreign" or "Celtic/Roman," derived from the Germanic name for the Celtic and Roman peoples the Anglo-Saxons encountered.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Welsh
See all rhymes for Welsh →Frequently asked questions
What does “Welsh” mean?
The word “Welsh” means relating to Wales, its people, culture, or language. In plain terms, relating to Wales and its people or language — as an adjective/noun this is entirely neutral; the verb sense (failing to pay a debt) has a disputed and possibly offensive background, so many writers now avoid it.
How do you pronounce “Welsh”?
“Welsh” is pronounced WEHLSH (/ˈwɛlʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Welsh” in a sentence?
Here is “Welsh” used in a sentence: “She grew up speaking Welsh at home.”
What part of speech is “Welsh”?
Depending on how it is used, “Welsh” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “Welsh” come from?
The word “Welsh” comes from Old English. From Old English wælisc, originally meaning "foreign" or "Celtic/Roman," derived from the Germanic name for the Celtic and Roman peoples the Anglo-Saxons encountered.
Is “Welsh” a common word?
“Welsh” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Welsh” have?
“Welsh” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to Wales, its people, culture, or language.
Should "Welsh" always be capitalised?
Yes. As an adjective relating to Wales, its people, culture, or language, and as the name of the language, "Welsh" is a proper adjective and is always written with a capital W. This holds even in the middle of a sentence, as in "a Welsh choir" or "she speaks Welsh."
What is the difference between "Welsh" and "Wales"?
"Wales" is the name of the country. "Welsh" is the adjective describing anything relating to Wales, and the noun naming the Celtic language spoken there. So you visit Wales, meet Welsh people, and may learn Welsh.
What is the difference between "Welsh" and "Welch"?
For the nationality and language, the standard spelling is "Welsh." "Welch" is chiefly seen as a surname and is not the correct spelling for the people or language of Wales.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Welsh: