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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.  Also called 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

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”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

welsh Welsh

"Heard cwtch on love island, this is welsh representation," wrote one on X, formerly Twitter.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2024

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

After becoming an MP in 2010, Mr Crabb was promoted to the Cabinet in 2014 as welsh secretary.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2016

I never welsh, sir," he replied, "and as I signed on, so will I work.

From Mr. Trunnell, Mate of the Ship "Pirate" by T. Jenkins (Thornton Jenkins) Hains

Welsh Water said its bills had "historically been held below inflation in real terms for much of the past decade".

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Reform UK and the Welsh Conservatives both welcomed the decision to pause surgeries.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Kill Jackie will be her first major role using her Welsh accent.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Catherine Zeta-Jones has been praised by fans as she uses her natural Welsh accent in an upcoming thriller series.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Older British readers will remember the Ilfracombe Incident of 1932, when a rogue Welsh Green dragon swooped down upon a crowded beach full of sunbathing Muggles.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling