Irish

[ ahy-rish ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Ireland, its inhabitants, or their language.

noun

1. the inhabitants of Ireland and their descendants elsewhere.
2. the aboriginal Celtic-speaking people of Ireland.
3. Also called Irish Gaelic. the Celtic language of Ireland in its historical or modern form. : Ir, Ir. Compare Middle Irish, Old Irish.
4. Irish English.
5. Irish whiskey.

Irish

/ ˈaɪrɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Ireland, its people, their Celtic language, or their dialect of English
2. informal.
   ludicrous or illogical

noun

1. the Irish
   functioning as plural the natives or inhabitants of Ireland
2. another name for Irish Gaelic

Sensitive Note

See Irish pennant.

Other Words From

• Irish·ly adverb
• anti-Irish adjective noun
• half-Irish adjective
• non-Irish adjective noun
• pre-Irish adjective
• pro-Irish adjective
• pseudo-Irish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Irish¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English Yrisse, Iris(c)h; compare Old English Īras people of Ireland (cognate with Old Norse Īrar ); -ish ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get one's Irish up, Informal. to become angry or outraged:

   Don't go getting your Irish up over a little matter like that.

More idioms and phrases containing Irish

see luck of the devil (Irish) .

Example Sentences

No team in college football has been more dominant since the Irish were upset by Northern Illinois early in the season.

From Los Angeles Times

The band's music and marketing heavily features themes relating to Irish republicanism and opposition to British rule in Northern Ireland.

From BBC

The sculpture was "one of the more popular ones", especially with tourists, a spokesperson told Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

From BBC

The polls are set to open for the Irish general election.

From BBC

The huge cost of renting or buying a home has been a major theme in the campaign while this is the first Irish general election where immigration has been a mainstream issue.

From BBC