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  

/ ˈkɛltɪk, ˈsɛl-, ˈsɛl- /

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

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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 )

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Compare meaning

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

• Gaelic vs. Celtic

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Celtic Celtics

All of a sudden, Celtic had a threat in behind and Besiktas looked rattled.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

He continued to battle to try to make things happen, but since arriving from Bodo/Glimt in the summer, he has now failed to score in 16 of his 17 Celtic appearances.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

"Everything changed with the subs; Osmand coming on and Duran going through the middle," former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov said on TNT Sports.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

Towards the end of Sunday's Scottish Premiership defeat by Falkirk, Chris Sutton said it was looking like "one of those days" for Celtic.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026

I reach up and touch the small pewter claddagh Celtic cross I have worn since I was six, tracking the grooved outline of the heart with my finger.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

In 2025, the Boston Celtics — like the Lakers, an illustrious legacy franchise — were sold for $6.1 billion, which closely matched Forbes market estimates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

The LA Lakers have 17 NBA titles - one less than the record of 18 held by the Boston Celtics.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

The days of the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls lording over the league with decade-long dynasties are done.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

“I know exactly which picture you’re talking about. Your mom used to have it in a frame. She gave me the tickets as a surprise for my birthday. The Celtics won, too. It was amazing.”

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks

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