Irish
[ ahy-rish ]
/ ˈaɪ rɪʃ /
Save This Word!
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.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Idioms about Irish
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
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English Yrisse, Iris(c)h; compare Old English Īras people of Ireland (cognate with Old Norse Īrar ); see -ish1
usage note for Irish
See Irish pennant.
OTHER WORDS FROM Irish
Words nearby Irish
Irina, iris, irisation, iris diaphragm, iris family, Irish, Irish boat, Irish bridge, Irish bull, Irish coffee, Irish elk
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use Irish in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for Irish
Irish
/ (ˈaɪrɪʃ) /
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with Irish
Irish
see luck of the devil (Irish).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.