welsh

[ welsh, welch ]

verb (used without object)Informal: Sometimes Offensive.
  1. to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt: You aren't going to welsh on me, are you?

  2. to go back on one's word: He welshed on his promise to help in the campaign.

Origin of welsh

1
First recorded in 1855–60; perhaps special use of Welsh

usage note For welsh

The verb welsh and the noun welsher are sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Welsh, the people of Wales. While the actual origin of these words may have nothing to do with Wales or its people, it is better to avoid any expressions linked to a negative stereotype that may have historically disparaged an ethnic or national group.

Other words from welsh

  • welsh·er, noun

Words Nearby welsh

Other definitions for Welsh (2 of 2)

Welsh
[ welsh, welch ]

adjective
  1. of or relating to Wales, its people, or their language.

noun
  1. the inhabitants of Wales and their descendants elsewhere.

  2. Also called Cymric, Kym·ric [kim-rik] /ˈkɪm rɪk/ . the Celtic language of Wales.

  1. one of a white, lop-eared breed of swine of Welsh origin that produces a large amount of lean meat.

Origin of Welsh

2
Before 900; Middle English Welische, Old English Welisc, derivative of Walh “Briton, foreigner” (compare Latin Volcae a Gallic tribe); cognate with German welsch “foreign, Italian”
  • Also Welch [welch, welsh] /wɛltʃ, wɛlʃ/ .

Other words from Welsh

  • non-Welsh, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use welsh in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for welsh (1 of 3)

welsh

welch

/ (wɛlʃ) /


verb(intr often foll by on) slang
  1. to fail to pay a gambling debt

  2. to fail to fulfil an obligation

Origin of welsh

1
C19: of unknown origin

Derived forms of welsh

  • welsher or welcher, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Welsh (2 of 3)

Welsh1

/ (wɛlʃ) /


adjective
  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Wales, its people, their Celtic language, or their dialect of English

noun
  1. a language of Wales, belonging to the S Celtic branch of the Indo-European family. Welsh shows considerable diversity between dialects

  2. the Welsh (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of Wales collectively

Origin of Welsh

2
Old English Wēlisc, Wǣlisc; related to wealh foreigner, Old High German walahisc (German welsch), Old Norse valskr, Latin Volcae
  • Also (rare): Welch

British Dictionary definitions for Welsh (3 of 3)

Welsh2

/ (wɛlʃ) /


noun
  1. a white long-bodied lop-eared breed of pig, kept chiefly for bacon

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