Celtic

American  

[kel-tik, sel-] / ˈkɛl tɪk, ˈsɛl- /

Also Keltic

noun

• Celtics
  plural

1. a branch of the Indo-European family of languages, including especially Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, which survive now in Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, Wales, and Brittany. Celt, Celt.

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adjective

1. of the Celts or their languages.

Celtic British  

/ ˈsɛl-, ˈsɛl-, ˈkɛltɪk, ˈkɛltɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a branch of the Indo-European family of languages that includes Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, still spoken in parts of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Brittany. Modern Celtic is divided into the Brythonic (southern) and Goidelic (northern) groups

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Celts or the Celtic languages

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Celticism
  noun
• Celticist
  noun
• non-Celtic
  adjective
• pre-Celtic
  adjective
• Celtically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• Celtics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Celtic

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Celticus, equivalent to Celt(ae) “the Celts” + -icus adjective suffix; see origin at Celt, -ic ( def. 1 )

Compare meaning

How does celtic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Gaelic vs. Celtic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Celtic Celtics

I really like some of their signings too - Daizen Maeda is a player I know well and is a really good piece of business, coming in from Celtic.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

Celtic won only 10 of their previous 50 games in European competition, so this one was to be savoured.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

In a shoot-out of lamentable quality, Celtic missed three of their five penalties and exited the tournament.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

From O'Neill, there were wary words about assuming that this tie is over and also an unmissable reminder about the money Celtic have been spending on players.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Mr. Levy looked hopelessly at the rotting Celtic cross in the front yard.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships, second only to the Boston Celtics.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

However, the lack of detail in the league's eligibility criteria has been brought to light by Kanter Freedom, who finished his playing career with the Boston Celtics in 2022.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Doncic missed games against the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics to be present at the birth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

Perhaps the most notable example was the Boston Celtics, champions just two years ago, sending Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

I’m sure the Celtics stayed at the Ritz, but it made me feel like a big deal to have my room paid for.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan