Irish

[ahy-rish]

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Ireland, its inhabitants, or their language.

noun

the inhabitants of Ireland and their descendants elsewhere.

the aboriginal Celtic-speaking people of Ireland.

Also called Irish Gaelic. the Celtic language of Ireland in its historical or modern form. Abbreviation: Ir, Ir.Compare Middle Irish, Old Irish.

Irish English.

Irish whiskey.

Origin of Irish

1175–1225; Middle English Yrisse, Iris(c)h; compare Old English Īras people of Ireland (cognate with Old Norse Īrar); see -ish¹

Related forms

I·rish·ly, adverban·ti-I·rish, adjective, nounhalf-I·rish, adjectivenon-I·rish, adjective, noun

pre-I·rish, adjectivepro-I·rish, adjectivepseu·do-I·rish, adjective

Usage note

See Irish pennant.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for irish

The month of May will see an Irish referendum on the legalization of same-sex marriage.
‘Only God’ Can Stop Gay Marriage|Tim Mak|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
After years at the head of a parochial school classroom, he could no longer distinguish one blond Irish Catholic kid from another.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Irish immigrants were more likely to vote Democratic, and German immigrants voted Republican.
What Lincoln Could Teach Fox News|Scott Porch|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
By 2013, that figure rose to $61 million, surpassing Jameson Irish whiskey and Patron tequila.
Europeans Recall Fireball Whiskey Over a Sweetener Also Used in Antifreeze|Tim Mak|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He finally died in a drawn-out battle with his Irish mobster nemesis, John Morrissey.
Brooklyn’s Gangster Graveyard|Nina Strochlic|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Times, referring to the debate on the Irish Church, remarked that the viceroyalty was more and more 'a mere ornament.'
The Land-War In Ireland (1870)|James Godkin
In the course of the discussion, Mr. Lefroy bore testimony to the generally successful working of the Irish poor-law.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
Meanwhile, it is an open question whether the accomplishment of repeal will be necessary to make this clear to the Irish.
The Condition of the Working-Class in England in 1844|Frederick Engels
We are not going to touch at any Irish port, so I am hurrying to write a few lines to send off by the Pilot.
Canada for Gentlemen|James Seton Cockburn
My name was added in the place which should have been his brother's, as representing Irish troops.
John Redmond's Last Years|Stephen Gwynn

British Dictionary definitions for irish

Irish

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Ireland, its people, their Celtic language, or their dialect of English

informal, offensive ludicrous or illogical

noun

the Irish (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of Ireland

another name for Irish Gaelic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for irish

Irish

c.1200, Irisce, from stem of Old English Iras "inhabitant of Ireland," from Old Norse irar, ultimately from Old Irish Eriu (accusative Eirinn, Erinn) "Erin," which is from Old Celtic *Iveriu (accusative *Iverionem, ablative *Iverione), perhaps from PIE *pi-wer- "fertile," literally "fat," from root *peie- "to be fat, swell" (see fat (adj.)).

Meaning "temper, passion" is 1834, American English (first attested in writings of Davy Crockett), from the legendary pugnacity of Irish people. Irish-American is from 1832; Irish coffee is from 1950. Wild Irish (late 14c.) originally were those not under English rule; Black Irish in reference to those of Mediterranean appearance is from 1888.

Idioms and Phrases with irish

Irish

see luck of the devil (Irish).

Irish

adjective

noun

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Idioms

Origin of Irish

Usage note

Examples from the Web for irish

Irish

adjective

noun

Irish

Irish