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

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

The Celtic folk singer, songwriter and harpist from the Irish-speaking Donegal Gaeltacht area of Gweedore recorded about 25 albums and sold millions of records worldwide.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

“I know you know how to line dance” she said, drawing a line between Irish tradition and American country music culture, the latter shaped in part by Celtic immigrant music.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Head-to-head points - With Hearts having beaten Celtic twice and drawn once, the Edinburgh side would finish ahead even if they lose their final visit to Celtic Park.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Hearts have beaten Rangers twice and lost once, while Rangers have beaten Celtic once and drawn twice.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

It sounded like the infernal spawn of a Persian drum beat and a dozen Celtic fiddles.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram