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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, 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

On Wednesday, James - who is the welsh government's most senior legal adviser and a MS herself - said the power was removed to avoid giving Welsh ministers powers that were outside the Senedd's control.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2025

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

"The assembly administration needs a big shake-up and we need a leader who is going to do that: to really drive the welsh civil service to be more innovative and more optimistic."

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2018

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

Elsie invited all of us to a welsh rarebit party she was giving at eleven-thirty, and then they got to work at the bridge table, poor George Hazzard cutting in occasionally.

From A Fool and His Money by George Barr McCutcheon

Star and Lewis said Parton, who has links to Machynlleth in Powys, was "proud" to sing in Welsh.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

But their cover of smash-hit Jolene, with Welsh and English lyrics, has been released on Friday.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Some of Parton's music may have been inspired by her Welsh roots, according to Star.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

"I'm so proud to receive that honour because it's not only a recognition of my work but it's a recognition of the film and it's a boost for Welsh language cinema."

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Agnes's got a slidey Welsh accent so I don't always know if I've heard her right.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell