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• welsh
  welsh

  verb (used without object)

  to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt.
• Welsh
  Welsh

  adjective

  of or relating to Wales, its people, or their language.

welsh

¹ American  

[welsh, welch] / wɛlʃ, wɛltʃ /

verb (used without object)

Informal: Sometimes Offensive.

1. to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt.

   You aren't going to welsh on me, are you?

2. to go back on one's word.

   He welshed on his promise to help in the campaign.

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Welsh ² American  

[welsh, welch] / wɛlʃ, wɛltʃ /

Also Welch

adjective

1. of or relating to Wales, its people, or their language.

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noun

1. the inhabitants of Wales and their descendants elsewhere.

2. Also called Kymric.  Also called Cymric.  the Celtic language of Wales.

3. one of a white, lop-eared breed of swine of Welsh origin that produces a large amount of lean meat.

Welsh ¹ British  

/ wɛlʃ /

adjective

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

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noun

1. a language of Wales, belonging to the S Celtic branch of the Indo-European family. Welsh shows considerable diversity between dialects

2. (functioning as plural) the natives or inhabitants of Wales collectively

welsh ² British  

/ wɛlʃ /

verb

1. to fail to pay a gambling debt

2. to fail to fulfil an obligation

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Welsh ³ British  

/ wɛlʃ /

noun

1. a white long-bodied lop-eared breed of pig, kept chiefly for bacon

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Sensitive Note

The verb welsh and the noun welsher are sometimes perceived as insulting to or by the Welsh, the people of Wales. While the actual origin of these words may have nothing to do with Wales or its people, it is better to avoid any expressions linked to a negative stereotype that may have historically disparaged an ethnic or national group.

Other Word Forms

• welsher
  noun
• non-Welsh
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of welsh¹

First recorded in 1855–60; perhaps special use of Welsh

Origin of Welsh²

Before 900; Middle English Welische, Old English Welisc, derivative of Walh “Briton, foreigner” (compare Latin Volcae a Gallic tribe); cognate with German welsch “foreign, Italian”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

welsh Welsh

Using registration data pulled from Seattle zip codes, the AKC found Labrador retrievers are Seattle’s second most-popular pup, followed by the French bulldog, Pembroke welsh corgi and havanese.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 21, 2023

Many visitors on the Maes at the Welsh language and cultural festival were in agreement, with Helen Llwyd, 28, from Carmarthen, who said "it erases the welsh heritage and the welsh history".

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2022

Queso gradually migrated north to places where palates were used to creamy dishes like fondue and welsh rarebit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2016

Acclaimed British film-maker John Akomfrah OBE and celebrated welsh artist Bedwyr Williams are among the nominees for the seventh Artes Mundi.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2015

“Let’s make a welsh rabbit,” suggested Alice, looking up from her magazine.

From The Brute by Frederic Arnold Kummer

The Welsh government said it was engaging "closely with steel producers" and will continue to monitor the steel measures.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

The Welsh Government said the safety of pupils and staff was of "paramount importance".

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

But she still fears people "make assumptions" based on her accent so at networking events she gravitates towards others with a Welsh accent.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026

In this week’s episode of The Envelope podcast, the Welsh actor joins The Envelope for a conversation about his Emmy-nominated roles in “Widow’s Bay” and “The Beast in Me.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

Better even than the Welsh ones, despite the fact that he lived in Wales and had his business there.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl