Cornish

American  

[kawr-nish] / ˈkɔr nɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Cornwall, England, its inhabitants, or the Cornish language.

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noun

1. the Celtic language of Cornwall, extinct since c1800.

2. one of an English breed of chickens raised chiefly for crossing with other breeds to produce roasters.

Cornish British  

/ ˈkɔːnɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Cornwall, its inhabitants, their former language, or their present-day dialect of English

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noun

1. a former language of Cornwall, belonging to the S Celtic branch of the Indo-European family and closely related to Breton: extinct by 1800

2. (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of Cornwall

Etymology

Origin of Cornish

1350–1400; late Middle English, apparently syncopated variant of Middle English Cornwelisse. See Cornwall, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

Organisers said the exhibition of mezzotint prints would be hosted at the Cornish gallery, Kestle Barton, and featured works by artist Sarah Gillespie.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026

Grace Jones, from the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said the seal found on Nanjizal Bay had been named Hot Cross Bun and while scarred for life, following treatment and rehabilitation, would soon be ready for release.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

In the late 1850s, before Association Football rules had been decided back in England, Cornish native and mining magnate Frank Rule set up a cricket team in Pachuca.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

To anyone with a knowledge of the United Kingdom's southernmost county, this figure is instantly recognisable as Cornish.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

It’s all right,” he said, helping himself to a Cornish pasty, while Mrs. Weasley looked stern, “they’re all called stuff like Bodrod the Bearded and Urg the Unclean; it wasn’t hard.”

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling