Irish
- of, relating to, or characteristic of Ireland, its inhabitants, or their language.
- 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.
- 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
Usage note
Examples from the Web for irish
Contemporary Examples
The month of May will see an Irish referendum on the legalization of same-sex marriage.
After years at the head of a parochial school classroom, he could no longer distinguish one blond Irish Catholic kid from another.
A notably large Irish contingent took part in the infamous draft riots because they did not want to compete for jobs with blacks.
Irish immigrants were more likely to vote Democratic, and German immigrants voted Republican.
By 2013, that figure rose to $61 million, surpassing Jameson Irish whiskey and Patron tequila.
Historical Examples
The question that overshadowed all others, however, was that of the Irish Church.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
This step followed legitimately after the disestablishment of the Irish Church.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
But there, as well as in the House, the Irish Establishment was doomed.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
Every species of mere bodily labor is the prerogative of these Irish.
Sketches from MemoryNathaniel Hawthorne
The fact is, her laurels, for the most part, have been gathered by Irish hands.
RidgewayScian Dubh
Irish
- of, relating to, or characteristic of Ireland, its people, their Celtic language, or their dialect of English
- informal, offensive ludicrous or illogical
- the Irish (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of Ireland
- another name for Irish Gaelic
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.