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

I played a lot of Gaelic football as a kid.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Gaelic Warrior, trained by Willie Mullins, went off as the 11-4 joint favourite alongside Jango Baie, but outclassed the field after making the turn for home.

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

On the battlements of their castle at Camelot, during an interval of peace between the two Gaelic Wars, the young king of England was standing with his tutor, looking across the purple wastes of evening.

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