Cornish

1 of 2

adjective

Cor·​nish ˈkȯr-nish 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Cornwall, Cornishmen, or Cornish

Cornish

2 of 2

noun

1

: the Celtic language of Cornwall

2

: any of an English breed of domestic chickens much used in crossbreeding for meat production compare rock cornish hen

Examples of Cornish in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Winner of the Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian in college football, Raymond compiled 1,466 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns last season. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 July 2026

This is Engagement Party, a brand-new newsletter companion to the pop culture podcast of the same name hosted by Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro. — Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

In this part of the state, your priority should be to find and eat pasties, savory hand pies that were brought to this part of the country by Cornish miners. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

At the film’s end, Abbie Cornish as Fanny hears secondhand about Keats’s death and utters a cry that is almost too much to bear — a cry that feels too real. — Sarah Chihaya, Vulture, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English Cornysshe, from Cornwaile Cornwall, England

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Cornish

• Cornish game hen
• Cornish hen
• Cornish pasty
• Cornish Rex
• Rock Cornish
• Rock Cornish game hen
• Rock Cornish hen

Rhymes for Cornish

• cornice

Kids Definition

Cornish

noun

Cor·​nish

ˈkȯr-nish

: any of an English breed of sturdy compact chickens