Scottish

1 of 2

adjective

Scot·​tish ˈskä-tish 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Scotland, Scots, or the Scots

Scottishness

ˈskä-tish-nəs 

noun

Scottish

2 of 2

noun

: scots

Examples of Scottish in a Sentence

Adjective

He spoke with a Scottish accent.

Robert Burns was a great Scottish poet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Scottish team have a further two days to conduct their business — their window closes on September 3 at 5pm. — Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

The festival has been in Edinburgh since its inception in the Scottish capital 50 years ago and almost everyone Variety spoke to about the move expressed some disappointment. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

Previous male members of the British royal family — including William’s father and grandfather Prince Philip — attended Gordonstoun in the Scottish Highlands, known for its strict discipline and rigorous demands of students. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Summer in the Scottish Highlands is usually the retreat where the British royal family seeks privacy and rest. — Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Scottes Scotsmen

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1759, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Scottish

• Scottish deerhound
• Scottish Gaelic
• Scottish rite
• Scottish terrier

Kids Definition

Scottish

1 of 2 adjective

Scot·​tish ˈskät-ish 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Scotland, the people of Scotland, or the Scots language

Scottish

2 of 2 noun

: scots entry 2