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.

Idioms

get one's Irish up, Informal. to become angry or outraged: Don't go getting your Irish up over a little matter like that.

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 formsI·rish·ly, adverban·ti-I·rish, adjective, nounhalf-I·rish, adjectivenon-I·rish, adjective, nounpre-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

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
A notably large Irish contingent took part in the infamous draft riots because they did not want to compete for jobs with blacks.
This Week's Riots Are Part of America's Long History of Racial Rage
Sharon Adarlo
November 29, 2014
Irish immigrants were more likely to vote Democratic, and German immigrants voted Republican.
What Lincoln Could Teach Fox News
Scott Porch
November 6, 2014
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

Historical Examples of irish

The question that overshadowed all others, however, was that of the Irish Church.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
This step followed legitimately after the disestablishment of the Irish Church.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
But there, as well as in the House, the Irish Establishment was doomed.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
Every species of mere bodily labor is the prerogative of these Irish.
Sketches from Memory
Nathaniel Hawthorne
The fact is, her laurels, for the most part, have been gathered by Irish hands.
Ridgeway
Scian Dubh

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).