Scottish

1 of 3

adjective

Scot·​tish ˈskä-tish How to pronounce Scottish (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Scotland, Scots, or the Scots
Scottishness
ˈskä-tish-nəs How to pronounce Scottish (audio)
noun

Scottish

2 of 3

noun (1)

: scots

Scottishness

3 of 3

noun (2)

Scot·​tish·​ness
plural -es
: scotchness

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
The boy was then taken to Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center by ambulance and received initial care there before being flown to Atlanta’s Scottish Rite Hospital for further treatment. — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 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 See All Example Sentences for Scottish

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Scottes Scotsmen

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1759, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1681, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Scottish was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing Scottish

Browse Nearby Words

scotting
Scottish
Scottish asphodel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scottish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Scottish. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Scottish

1 of 2 adjective
Scot·​tish ˈskät-ish How to pronounce Scottish (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Scotland, the people of Scotland, or the Scots language

Scottish

2 of 2 noun
: scots entry 2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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