Gael

noun

ˈgāl How to pronounce Gael (audio)
1
: a Scottish Highlander
2
: a Celtic especially Gaelic-speaking inhabitant of Ireland, Scotland, or the Isle of Man
Gaeldom
ˈgāl-dəm How to pronounce Gael (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

Scottish Gaelic Gàidheal & Irish Gaedheal

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of Gael was in 1684

Rhymes for Gael

See All Rhymes for Gael

Browse Nearby Words

gaedown
Gael
Gaelic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gael.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gael. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

Gael

noun
ˈgā(ə)l How to pronounce Gael (audio)
1
: a Scottish Highlander
2
: a Celtic especially Gaelic-speaking person born or living in Ireland, Scotland, or the Isle of Man
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All