Celtic

American  

[kel-tik, sel-] / ˈkɛl tɪk, ˈsɛl- /

Also Keltic

noun

1. a branch of the Indo-European family of languages, including especially Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, which survive now in Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, Wales, and Brittany. Celt, Celt.

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adjective

1. of the Celts or their languages.

Celtic British  

/ ˈsɛl-, ˈsɛl-, ˈkɛltɪk, ˈkɛltɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a branch of the Indo-European family of languages that includes Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, still spoken in parts of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Brittany. Modern Celtic is divided into the Brythonic (southern) and Goidelic (northern) groups

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Celts or the Celtic languages

Other Word Forms

• Celtically adverb
• Celticism noun
• Celticist noun
• non-Celtic adjective
• pre-Celtic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Celtic

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Celticus, equivalent to Celt(ae) “the Celts” + -icus adjective suffix; see origin at Celt, -ic ( def. 1 )

Compare meaning

How does celtic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Gaelic vs. Celtic

Example Sentences

Celtic have had three different managers in this campaign, with Martin O'Neill's second interim period running until the end of the season.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

U2, Andrea Corr and Daniel O'Donnell were among the mourners at the funeral of Irish music star Moya Brennan, who was described as the "first lady of Celtic music".

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Lennon, 54, won the Scottish Cup four times as a player with Celtic and did the same as manager.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

The former Hearts, Raith Rovers and Livingston manager worked as a first-team scout and opposition analyst at Celtic from January 2015 until September 2018.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

“I bet you enjoyed the Celtic game this week.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti