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

• non-Welsh adjective
• welsher noun

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

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

Meanwhile, the expert panel pointed out that significant improvement should be possible in the Welsh NHS, due to the way it is structured and some of the ideas that underpin welsh health policy.

From BBC

"Heard cwtch on love island, this is welsh representation," wrote one on X, formerly Twitter.

From BBC

She said the upcoming eisteddfod performance meant she was learning "a bit more welsh", and even learning the language on her phone.

From BBC

We are so proud of them, BUT news on the ground tonight is our welsh female supporters wearing them in #Qatar are having them taken off them, Not the men, just Women.

From BBC