Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

claddagh

noun
clad·​dagh | \ ˈkla-də How to pronounce claddagh (audio) , ˈklä-\

Definition of claddagh

: an Irish design (as on a ring) of two hands holding a crowned heart that symbolizes friendship, loyalty, and love

First Known Use of claddagh

1883, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for claddagh

Claddagh, former village across the river Corrib from Galway city, Ireland

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about claddagh

Dictionary Entries near claddagh

clad-

cladanthous

cladautoicous

claddagh

cladding

clade

cladi

Statistics for claddagh

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for claddagh

The first known use of claddagh was in 1883

See more words from the same year

Comments on claddagh

What made you want to look up claddagh? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

propitious

Listen to the pronounciation of propitious

likely to have or produce good results

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games