welsh

[ welsh, welch ]

/ wɛlʃ, wɛltʃ /

verb (used without object) Informal: Sometimes Offensive.

to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt: You aren't going to welsh on me, are you?

to go back on one's word: He welshed on his promise to help in the campaign.

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Also welch .

Origin of welsh

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

usage note for welsh

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 WORDS FROM welsh

welsh·er, noun

Definition for welsh (2 of 2)

Welsh

[ welsh, welch ]

/ wɛlʃ, wɛltʃ /

adjective

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

noun

the inhabitants of Wales and their descendants elsewhere.

Also called Cymric, Kym·ric

[kim-rik] /ˈkɪm rɪk/ . the Celtic language of Wales.

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

Also Welch

[welch, welsh] /wɛltʃ, wɛlʃ/ .

Origin of Welsh

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”

OTHER WORDS FROM Welsh

non-Welsh, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

British Dictionary definitions for welsh (1 of 3)

welsh

welch

/ (wɛlʃ) /

verb (intr often foll by on) slang

to fail to pay a gambling debt

to fail to fulfil an obligation

Derived forms of welsh

welsher or welcher, noun

Word Origin for welsh

C19: of unknown origin