Celtic

American  

[kel-tik, sel-] / ˈkɛl tɪk, ˈsɛl- /

Also Keltic

noun

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

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

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

Celtic have yet to officially confirm the appointment.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Twenty years on from ending a five-year tenure as Celtic manager, O'Neill returned in late October on a temporary basis after Brendan Rodgers' departure, overseeing eight games.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Rangers were also knocked out of the Scottish Cup by O'Neill's Celtic at the quarter-final stage in March.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

And can Celtic afford to let him go?

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

“I bet you enjoyed the Celtic game this week.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti