What does welched mean?
Welched is the past tense and past participle of welch, an informal verb meaning to deceive, swindle, or defraud someone. It is especially associated with being cheated of money through overcharging, false promises, or another unfair deal, though the word can apply to deception beyond money. In a sentence, “They welched him out of his deposit” makes the accusation immediate, while “The customer felt welched after the faulty warranty was sold to him” uses it as a participial adjective. Welched belongs to colloquial English in both Britain and North America rather than formal or literary registers. Its unusual spelling and history give it a memorable edge: the verb is generally traced to “Welsh,” formerly used as a label for an outsider or an untrustworthy person, and it was established in English by the early 19th century.
To deceive, swindle, or defraud someone, especially by taking money from them unfairly.
"The broker welched him out of his deposit."
Welched is the past tense and past participle of welch and is informal in tone.
Cheated, swindled, or defrauded.
"Many customers felt welched after discovering the additional fees."
This participial adjectival use is less common than the verb form.
Welched hides a history of calling someone a stranger: the verb grew from “Welsh,” once used figuratively for an outsider or someone perceived as untrustworthy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of welched
Welched is formed from welch, a verb generally linked to the adjective Welsh, which continues Old English wealh, an old term for a foreigner or Welshman; welsch was an earlier variant of Welsh. The ethnonym was used figuratively for someone regarded as foreign or untrustworthy before acquiring the verb's sense of cheating or swindling. The precise stages of this semantic development are not entirely certain, but the verb is firmly established in English by the early 19th century.
Related word forms
How welched is actually used
Welched is informal and often carries a note of annoyance or accusation. The verb form is more common than the adjectival use, and “welch someone out of something” is a frequent construction.
Easily confused with welched
Welsh is a proper adjective relating to Wales or its people, whereas welched is an informal verb form or participial adjective meaning cheated or swindled.