Irish

[ahy-rish]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Ireland, its inhabitants, or their language.

noun

1. the inhabitants of Ireland and their descendants elsewhere.

2. the aboriginal Celtic-speaking people of Ireland.

3. Also called Irish Gaelic. the Celtic language of Ireland in its historical or modern form. Ir, Ir.

4. Irish English.

5. Irish whiskey.

Irish

/ ˈaɪrɪʃ /

adjective

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

2. informal,  ludicrous or illogical

noun

1. (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of Ireland

2. another name for Irish Gaelic

Sensitive Note

See Irish pennant.

Other Word Forms

• Irishly adverb
• anti-Irish adjective
• half-Irish adjective
• non-Irish adjective
• pre-Irish adjective
• pro-Irish adjective
• pseudo-Irish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Irish¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English Yrisse, Iris(c)h; compare Old English Īras people of Ireland (cognate with Old Norse Īrar ); -ish ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get one's Irish up, to become angry or outraged.

   Don't go getting your Irish up over a little matter like that.

see luck of the devil (Irish).

Example Sentences

While there have been some glimpses of attacking intent, former Scotland and British and Irish Lions defence coach Tandy will be especially concerned with his specialist area.

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The stag's head was removed from the grounds and staff say they have no doubt it was taken as a trophy, Irish broadcaster RTÉ is reporting.

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He quotes Stephen Rea, the Irish actor, who wrote that Shepard’s plays, “more than any since Beckett’s, feel like musical experiences.”

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The British and Irish Lions this week said any player who signed up would not be picked for the 2027 women's tour to New Zealand.

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Eight leading Test nations, along with the British and Irish Lions, have banned any R360 recruits from combining the new venture with their international careers.

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