Irish

American  

[ahy-rish] / ˈaɪ rɪʃ /

adjective

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

---

noun

1. the inhabitants of Ireland and their descendants elsewhere.

2. the aboriginal Celtic-speaking people of Ireland.

3. Also called Irish Gaelic.  the Celtic language of Ireland in its historical or modern form. Ir, Ir.

4. Irish English.

5. Irish whiskey.

idioms

1. get one's Irish up,  to become angry or outraged.

   Don't go getting your Irish up over a little matter like that.

Irish British  

/ ˈaɪrɪʃ /

adjective

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

2. informal  ludicrous or illogical

---

noun

1. (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of Ireland

2. another name for Irish Gaelic

Irish More Idioms  

1. see luck of the devil (Irish).

---

Sensitive Note

See Irish pennant.

Other Word Forms

• Irishly adverb
• anti-Irish adjective
• half-Irish adjective
• non-Irish adjective
• pre-Irish adjective
• pro-Irish adjective
• pseudo-Irish adjective

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 ); -ish ¹

Example Sentences

Irish rockers Fontaines DC, electronic duo Chase & Status and singer Florence + The Machine will also top the bill at both events over the August bank holiday weekend.

From BBC

The Irish government said the visit is an opportunity to underpin "the very close and warm relations" between the two countries.

From BBC

However, the Irish coach was later shown a red card in the 57th minute when his off-field comments again reached the ear of the referee.

From Barron's

Domestic service was the largest urban occupation at midcentury, dominated by Irish immigrant women who received room and board and could save significant amounts.

From The Wall Street Journal

The teams have identical 10-2 records, and the Hurricanes beat the Irish in the season opener, which would seem to settle the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal