# welch

/ˈwɛɫtʃ/ (US) · /wˈɛltʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/welch
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to break a promise or debt

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal

to not pay back a debt or to fail to do something you promised to do.

For teachers: to fail to honour a debt or a commitment, particularly in a casual or dishonest manner.

- He tried to welch on his bet after his team lost the game.
- The contractor attempted to welch on the agreement once he realised the material costs had exceeded his initial estimate.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'on' before the object.

Teaching tip: This word can be considered offensive by some due to its historical association with 'Welsh' people; 'renege' or 'back out' are safer professional alternatives.

### 2. a person who doesn't pay

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

someone who does not pay back a small debt or keep a promise.

For teachers: a person who defaults on an obligation or fails to pay a small debt.

- Nobody wanted to lend him money because he had a reputation as a welch.
- In the tight-knit gambling community, being labelled a welch is enough to get a person permanently barred from the tables.

Teaching tip: The spelling 'welsher' is more common for the noun form in many dialects.

## Examples

- He tried to welch on the bet after his team lost.
- The contractor decided to welch on the agreement, leaving the homeowners with an unfinished kitchen and no refund.
- In the high-stakes world of underground gambling, anyone who attempts to welch on a significant debt quickly finds themselves blacklisted from every reputable establishment in the city.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.