welsh

¹

[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.

Welsh

²

Also Welch

[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 Kymric. Also called Cymric. the Celtic language of Wales.

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

Welsh

¹

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

welsh

²

/ wɛlʃ /

verb

1. to fail to pay a gambling debt

2. to fail to fulfil an obligation

Welsh

³

/ wɛlʃ /

noun

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

Sensitive Note

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 Word Forms

• welsher noun
• non-Welsh adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of welsh¹

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

Origin of welsh²

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of welsh¹

Old English Wēlisc, Wǣlisc; related to wealh foreigner, Old High German walahisc (German welsch ), Old Norse valskr, Latin Volcae

Origin of welsh²

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

After the party's success at May's local and mayoral elections, he argued the 2026 races for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd would be "an essential building block" ahead of a UK general election.

From BBC

Criminal damage to listed buildings is on the increase, the body which preserves and protects Welsh heritage has said.

From BBC

But speaking at her party's UK conference in Birmingham, Laura Anne Jones questioned whether the Welsh Parliament should continue if Reform could not make it "work for Wales".

From BBC

The Capital Investment Fund, issued by the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh government, received 68 applications.

From BBC

The Welsh government said local authorities are responsible for delivering learner transport and there are "no current plans" to review the mileage threshold.

From BBC