scamallach
The Irish word for cloudy is scamallach. Wiktionary also lists néaltach.
Meaning: covered with or characterised by clouds (adj)
Ways to say it
| Irish | IPA |
|---|---|
| scamallach | |
| néaltach | /ˈnʲia̯l̪ˠt̪ˠəx/ (Munster) /ˈn̠ʲeːl̪ˠt̪ˠəx/ (Connacht) |
Both provided words are adjectives used to describe weather that is covered with or characterized by clouds.
Which one should you use?
scamallach and néaltach are both used to mean cloudy. scamallach is the default form.
Did you know?
- In many Irish dialects, the word scamall can also refer to a 'clod' or a 'lump' of earth, suggesting a sky filled with heavy, solid-looking masses.
- If you describe a person as being 'scamallach', you might not be talking about the weather, but rather suggesting they are gloomy or dark in temperament.
- The choice between scamallach and néaltach can subtly change the texture of your description, with the latter often feeling more related to the celestial or high heavens.
Examples in context
- Lá scamallach atá ann inniu.It is a cloudy day today.
Example conversation
Saoirse and Conor are looking out the window.
- SaoirseAn bhfuil an lá scamallach, a Chonaire?Is the day cloudy, Conor?
- ConorTá, agus tá sé ag cur báistí.Yes, and it is raining.
- SaoirseNí raibh sé scamallach ar maidin.It wasn't cloudy this morning.
- ConorAthraíonn an aimsir go tapa anseo.The weather changes quickly here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cloudy” translations and entries scamallach, néaltach, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
