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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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Sensitivity

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

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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”

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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

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

Writing on Instagram, accompanied by a picture Speed during his playing days, he said: "This man would have been so proud tonight... Congratulations to Chris Colman all the players and everyone involved in welsh football..."

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2015

At supper Mitchell secured parking space for his companion at the Union Café, and there he learned how a welsh rabbit may be humiliated by a woman.

From Laughing Bill Hyde and Other Stories by Rex Ellingwood Beach

Welsh rugby has been in the doldrums for so long, on and off the field, but will hope this famous victory can help galvanise the nation.

From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2026

Labour was thrown out of power at the election when it was reduced from 30 seats in the Welsh Parliament to nine.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

They're both young, Welsh, and very interested in politics.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

The Plaid Welsh government has promised a green paper looking at the powers of councils, with legislation possibly after the next election in 2030.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

“Little darling!—with her long curls and her blue eyes, and such a sweet colour as she has; just as if she were painted!—Bessie, I could fancy a Welsh rabbit for supper.”

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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