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

Ultimately, Irish, an 18-year veteran of the department, and two other career employees were placed on leave. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

The Fighting Irish are 24-17 overall and 10-14 in the ACC. —Mitch Light, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

The semi-interred building isn’t really a New York — or a city — thing (except perhaps for the Irish Hunger Memorial, a low box that wears a chunk of rocky countryside on its shoulder). —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 28 Apr. 2025

The six-time Survivor contestant, 49, had been in Dublin competing in The Irish Poker Open sponsored by PokerStars, Europe’s longest running live poker series. —Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 26 Apr. 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