adj Common

Welsh

WEHLSH

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Welsh (adj) means relating to Wales, its people, culture, or language. Example: “She grew up speaking Welsh at home.”

adj

Relating to Wales, its people, culture, or language.

"She grew up speaking Welsh at home."

"They visited a traditional Welsh village in the mountains."

noun

The Celtic language spoken in Wales.

"Road signs across Wales are written in both English and Welsh."

verb

To fail to pay a debt or fulfil a promise (considered by many to be an offensive usage due to its origin).

"He welshed on the deal at the last minute."

How to use Welsh

Learner’s notes

In 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.

Common mistake

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.

Common pairings

the Welsh language Welsh countryside Welsh accent

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Welshes
Third person singular: welshes
Past tense: welshed
Comparative: more welsh
Superlative: most welsh

Test yourself on “Welsh” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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cymric Cambrian Cymry Cymric welch

Antonyms

pay

Related words

pay buy income wage salary default wages earnings

Rhymes for Welsh

Walsh

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.

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