Gaelic

American  

[gey-lik, gol-ik] / ˈgeɪ lɪk, ˈgɒl ɪk /

noun

1. a Celtic language that includes the speech of ancient Ireland and the dialects that have developed from it, especially those usually known as Irish, Manx, and Scottish Gaelic: Gaelic constitutes the Goidelic subbranch of Celtic.

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adjective

1. of or in Gaelic.

2. of or relating to the Gaels or their language.

Gaelic British  

/ ˈɡæl-, ˈɡeɪlɪk /

noun

1. any of the closely related languages of the Celts in Ireland, Scotland, or (formerly) the Isle of Man Compare Goidelic

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adjective

1. of, denoting, or relating to the Celtic people of Ireland, Scotland, or the Isle of Man or their language or customs

Other Word Forms

• anti-Gaelic adjective
• non-Gaelic adjective
• pro-Gaelic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Gaelic

First recorded in 1590–1600; Gael + -ic (representing Scots Gaelic Gaidhlig, derivative of Gaidheal Gael )

Compare meaning

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

• Gaelic vs. Celtic

Example Sentences

Kelly: Was there ever a chance you could have gone into Gaelic football rather than football?

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Winning jockey Townend said after the race he was "fortunate" to be riding Gaelic Warrior, having been due to ride two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs before his withdrawal.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Mescal was an athlete, competing in Gaelic football, but transitioned to acting and later graduated from the drama school at Trinity College Dublin in 2017.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend may have come up just short with Gaelic Warrior but they do not return to Ireland empty-handed.

From Barron's • Dec. 26, 2025

Even in the miasma of her Gaelic mind, she had come to see that asses do not mate with pythons.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White