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• welsh
  welsh

  verb (used without object)

  to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt.
• Welsh
  Welsh

  adjective

  of or relating to Wales, its people, or their language.

welsh

¹ American  

[welsh, welch] / wɛlʃ, wɛltʃ /

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.

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Welsh ² American  

[welsh, welch] / wɛlʃ, wɛltʃ /

Also Welch

adjective

1. of or relating to Wales, its people, or their language.

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noun

1. the inhabitants of Wales and their descendants elsewhere.

2. Also called Kymric, 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 British  

/ wɛlʃ /

adjective

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

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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 British  

/ wɛlʃ /

verb

1. to fail to pay a gambling debt

2. to fail to fulfil an obligation

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Welsh ³ British  

/ wɛlʃ /

noun

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

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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

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Etymology

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”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

welsh Welsh

Using registration data pulled from Seattle zip codes, the AKC found Labrador retrievers are Seattle’s second most-popular pup, followed by the French bulldog, Pembroke welsh corgi and havanese.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 21, 2023

Queso gradually migrated north to places where palates were used to creamy dishes like fondue and welsh rarebit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2016

Former Euro-MP Baroness Eluned Morgan tweeted that it was the "Strongest welsh representation in shadow cab for years".

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2015

Your comments about being humble and modest are ironic considering the welsh rugby presenting lacks this in abundance.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2015

Elsie invited all of us to a welsh rarebit party she was giving at eleven-thirty, and then they got to work at the bridge table, poor George Hazzard cutting in occasionally.

From A Fool and His Money by George Barr McCutcheon

Judge Welsh said the map was of "international cultural significance" and the damage had "permanently diminished what can be learned from it".

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

The Welsh government said it doesn't provide the core funding but "recognise the concerns raised and are clear that we need to do all we can to reduce the risk of wildfires".

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

The Welsh government said individual fire and rescue authorities determine how many firefighters they need and set their budgets accordingly.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Ambulance Service attended the scene, and the road remains closed with diversions in place.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

“The Welsh have taken the town and are at the gates of the outer bailey. The food is giving out. The water low in the well. You must get help. You must get it soon.”

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

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