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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

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

After becoming an MP in 2010, Mr Crabb was promoted to the Cabinet in 2014 as welsh secretary.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2016

Tipuric is a much better player and think your welsh team would be a much better one with him in at 7 & Warbuton @6.

From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2015

Last nite we had welsh rabit fer super and I did not sleep enny way.

From Deer Godchild by Marguerite Bernard

Bobi is waiting for results for A-level business and sport, as well as the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Rosa MacGowan, 18, from Swansea juggled studying four A-levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate alongside her part-time job in the hope of going on to be a doctor.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

In 1955 he applied to the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, “hoping to become a musician.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

Welsh actor Taron Egerton has opened up about his estranged relationship with his dad.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

A Welsh dresser bigger than my bedroom hid the deepest quarter from sight.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell