Celtic

American  

[kel-tik, sel-] / ˈkɛl tɪk, ˈsɛl- /

Also Keltic

noun

• Celtics
  plural

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  

/ ˈkɛltɪk, ˈsɛl-, ˈsɛl- /

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• Celtics
  plural

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

See Examples For:

Celtic Celtics

In a photograph obtained by BBC Sport, mannequins display Benfica, Aston Villa and Celtic kits beneath an Adidas logo on the wall.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

A wildlife cinematographer and shark guide has spoken about the unexpected surprise and joy of seeing a humpback whale in the Celtic Deep just off the Welsh coast.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

When I opened it, I could see it was a Celtic top but then very quickly I saw the white letters of Wright.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

As a kid in Aberdeen, he'd grown up as a Celtic fan - something he says that required a thick skin.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

I reach up and touch the small pewter claddagh Celtic cross I have worn since I was six, tracking the grooved outline of the heart with my finger.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

His previous NBA experience includes stints with the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

The LA Lakers have 17 NBA titles - 11 of which were won under the ownership of the Buss family - one less than the record tally held by the Boston Celtics.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships, second only to the Boston Celtics.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

Doncic missed games against the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics to be present at the birth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

I hadn’t showered that morning and was wearing my old moth-eaten Celtics sweatpants and a Captain America T-shirt.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan