Scottish
- 1Of or relating to Scotland, its people, culture, or history; born in Scotland or of Scottish descent.
The museum displays Scottish art from the medieval period.
She wore a kilt made from heavy Scottish wool.
UsageFor people and things from Scotland, say Scottish or Scots; Scotch is dated here and lives on mainly in Scotch whisky.
- 2The inhabitants of Scotland, considered together as a single people.
Throughout the wars, the Scottish defended their borders fiercely.
The Scottish have given the world many inventors and engineers.
UsageSaid as the Scottish are. For one person, say a Scot or a Scottish man or woman (not
incorrect: a Scottish).SimilarScots
- 3The forms of English used by speakers throughout Scotland.
UsageBecause the bare word can also mean Gaelic, writers usually say Scottish English in full when it matters.
Note
Used on its own as a name, the word points to the English of Scotland, with its own sounds and words, rather than to a separate language. The same bare word can also mean Scottish Gaelic, which is an entirely different language.
Less common meaning
- 4Short for Scottish Gaelic.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English Scottisch, from Old English Sċyttisċ, formed from Scot plus the suffix -ish. It is a doublet of Scotch and Scots; compare Dutch Schots and German schottisch.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- The Middle English word derives from Old English Sċyttisċ. en.wiktionary.org
- The word is formed from Scot and the suffix -ish. en.wiktionary.org
- Scottish is a doublet of Scotch. en.wiktionary.org
- Scots is a doublet of Scottish; Scot is its related base word. en.wiktionary.org