Welsh

1 of 2

noun

ˈwelsh  ˈwelch 

variants or less commonly Welch

ˈwelch 

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  ˈwelch 

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

Phrases Containing Welsh

• Cardigan Welsh corgi
• Middle Welsh
• Old Welsh
• Pembroke Welsh corgi
• the Welsh
• Welsh black
• Welsh cob
• Welsh corgi
• Welsh dresser
• Welsh mountain pony
• Welsh pony
• Welsh rabbit
• Welsh rarebit
• Welsh springer spaniel
• Welsh terrier

Kids Definition

Welsh

noun

ˈwelsh 

also

ˈwelch 

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