Gael

¹ American

[geyl] / geɪl /

noun

a Scottish Celt or Highlander.
a Gaelic-speaking Celt.

Gael. ² American

Or Gael

abbreviation

Gaelic.

Gael British

/ ɡeɪl /

noun

a person who speaks a Gaelic language, esp a Highland Scot or an Irishman

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Gaeldom noun

Etymology

Origin of Gael

1590–1600; < Scots Gaelic Gaidheal, Old Irish Goidel

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I have a big pile of old cookbooks that inspired a lot of the specific dishes in the book, but the best resource was the New York magazine archives, particularly Gael Greene’s old columns.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

"I'm proud of my fight and resilience, and I can't thank the fans enough for their incredible support," added Svitolina, who is married to French player Gael Monfils.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

Team-mate Gael Fickou says France have lost the best prop they have ever had after Uini Atonio was forced to retire with a heart problem.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

Svitolina, with husband Gael Monfils watching on, failed to capitalise and conceded her serve as well, but Gauff then sent down two double faults at crucial moments to be broken yet again.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

If it please mine uncle, King Arthur, to accord with him, then the King will lose my service and that of all the Gael.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023