welch
verb (used without object)
welch
1 American
[welch, welsh]
/ wɛltʃ, wɛlʃ /
verb (used without object)
Informal: Sometimes Offensive.
welches,
present (3rd person singular)
welched,
past participle, past
welching
present participle
Welch
2
American
[welch, welsh]
/ wɛltʃ, wɛlʃ /
noun
-
James, 1940–2003, U.S. poet and novelist.
-
Joseph Nye, 1890–1960, U.S. trial lawyer.
-
Robert, Jr., 1899–1985, U.S. candy manufacturer: founder of the John Birch Society 1958.
-
William Henry, 1850–1934, U.S. medical pathologist and educator.
Welch
1
British
/ wɛlʃ /
adjective
welch
2
British
/ wɛlʃ /
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has welchedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have welchedperfect
-
is welchingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
am welchingprogressive 1st person singular
-
are welchingprogressive
-
welchingparticiple
-
welchessingular 3rd person
-
have been welchingperfect progressive
-
has been welchingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
-
had welchedperfect
-
was welchingprogressive singular
-
had been welchingperfect progressive
-
welchedparticiple
-
were welchingprogressive plural
-
welchedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of welch
First recorded in 1855–60; variant of welsh ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Sarah Fritsche's blog the Cheese Professor, she explained the word "Welsh" was used as an insult in 1700s Britain, similar to how "welch" functioned as a pejorative.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2025
Its performance has been so abysmal that Maryland, the District of Columbia and other bay states have sued the EPA for allowing Pennsylvania, and also New York, to so badly welch on their commitments.
From Washington Times • Feb. 24, 2021
When depression caused other Clevelanders to welch, Patron Severance raised his ante to $2,500,000 and Severance Hall was built.
From Time Magazine Archive
Because almost every peace treaty is so signed, a recognized principle of international law allows a nation to welch on its promises in the light of changed conditions.
From Time Magazine Archive
Ich ging, du standst und sahst zur Erden, Und sahst mir nach mit nassem Blick; Und doch, welch Glück geliebt zu werden!
From The Youth of Goethe by Brown, Peter Hume
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
