welch

¹ American  

[welch, welsh] / wɛltʃ, wɛlʃ /

verb (used without object)

Informal: Sometimes Offensive.

1. welsh.

---

Welch ² American  

[welch, welsh] / wɛltʃ, wɛlʃ /

noun

1. James, 1940–2003, U.S. poet and novelist.

2. Joseph Nye, 1890–1960, U.S. trial lawyer.

3. Robert, Jr., 1899–1985, U.S. candy manufacturer: founder of the John Birch Society 1958.

4. William Henry, 1850–1934, U.S. medical pathologist and educator.

---

Welch ¹ British  

/ wɛlʃ /

adjective

1. an archaic spelling of Welsh 1

---

welch ² British  

/ wɛlʃ /

verb

1. a variant spelling of welsh

---

Other Word Forms

• welcher noun

Etymology

Origin of welch

First recorded in 1855–60; variant of welsh ( def. )

Example Sentences

My sister promised to get my father’s death certificate, then welched on that promise.

From MarketWatch

In Sarah Fritsche's blog the Cheese Professor, she explained the word "Welsh" was used as an insult in 1700s Britain, similar to how "welch" functioned as a pejorative.

From BBC

He says they feel high-income countries have welched on the landmark deal made at the UN climate conference in Paris in 2015.

From BBC

Away from home, there is no question of the UK welching on its support for Ukraine - but there are no answers yet about how long the war will go on, or how it ends.

From BBC

Its performance has been so abysmal that Maryland, the District of Columbia and other bay states have sued the EPA for allowing Pennsylvania, and also New York, to so badly welch on their commitments.

From Washington Times