Irish

noun

ˈī-rish 

1

plural in construction : natives or inhabitants of Ireland or their descendants especially when of Celtic speech or culture

2

a

: the Celtic language of Ireland especially as used since the later medieval period

b

: English spoken by the Irish

3

: irish whiskey

Irish adjective

Examples of Irish in a Sentence

How many Irish are there in England?

Recent Examples on the Web

The Irish have gone 27-6 since, including a run to the national championship game (and a loss at Clemson). —Pete Sampson, New York Times, 9 July 2025

Speaking of Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish's 1956 Heisman Trophy winner Paul Hornung is a legend in Green Bay. —Jim Reineking, USA Today, 7 July 2025

People who lived through the Irish Potato Famine, enslavement in Trinidad and Icelandic measles epidemics all have something in common: Women outlive men in dire circumstances. —Starre Vartan, CNN Money, 7 July 2025

According to the Irish Times, Denise Morey of Cork City, Ireland, died on Friday, July 4 after being in the hospital for 11 days. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English *Īrisc, from Īras Irishmen, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish Ériu Ireland

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Irish

• anti-Irish
• Irish bull
• Irish coffee
• Irish confetti
• Irish Gaelic
• Irish mail
• Irish moss
• Irish potato
• Irish setter
• Irish stew
• Irish terrier
• Irish water spaniel
• Irish whiskey
• Irish wolfhound
• Middle Irish
• Old Irish
• Scotch-Irish
• Scots-Irish

Kids Definition

Irish

noun

ˈī(ə)r-ish 

1

Irish plural : the people of Ireland

2

: the Celtic language of Ireland

Irish adjective