Irish
Americanadjective
noun
-
the inhabitants of Ireland and their descendants elsewhere.
-
the aboriginal Celtic-speaking people of Ireland.
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Also called Irish Gaelic. the Celtic language of Ireland in its historical or modern form. Ir, Ir.
idioms
adjective
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of Ireland, its people, their Celtic language, or their dialect of English
-
informal ludicrous or illogical
noun
-
(functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of Ireland
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another name for Irish Gaelic
Sensitive Note
See Irish pennant.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Irish
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English Yrisse, Iris(c)h; compare Old English Īras people of Ireland (cognate with Old Norse Īrar ); see -ish 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Excluding the ups and downs of U.S. businesses, Irish growth has been more steady.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026
The Irish budget carrier’s strong balance sheet and low-cost model allow it to keep aircraft flying while competitors cut services or exit markets, which helps it gain market share, they add.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
Carney has said he is proud of his family heritage and described his Irish ancestry as a "big part of who I am".
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
Carmel Gates from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions praised healthcare workers, fire fighters, bus drivers and teachers, who stepped up to help those who were attacked and intimidated this week.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
“They liked Negro spirituals and Irish jigs. A strong favorite of which they never tired was ‘It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary.’
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
