claidheamh
/ˈkʰl̪ˠãju/masculine
The Scottish Gaelic word for sword is claidheamh. slòighre is a rarer word for a sword. If unsure, use claidheamh.
Meaning: weapon (noun)
Ways to say it
| Gaelic | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| claidheamh | /ˈkʰl̪ˠãju/ (Lewis) /ˈkl̪ˠɛ̃.əv/ |
masculine |
| slòighre | /s̪ɫ̪ɤiɾʲə/ | feminine |
claidheamh is the standard word for a sword, the bladed weapon.
Which one should you use?
claidheamh is masculine and is the usual word. slòighre is feminine and far less common.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Irish, the word for sword is claíomh.
How does it change in a sentence?
After the article in a phrase like with the sword, the first sound is softened, so the word appears as a’ chlaidheamh.
How do you pronounce it?
claidheamh is pronounced /ˈkʰl̪ˠãju/. Most of the written letters in the middle are silent, and the word ends in a sound close to the English word you.
Did you know?
- The word claidheamh is a direct linguistic ancestor of the English word 'claymore'. In Gaelic, 'claymore' is simply a claidheamh mór, which means 'great sword'.
- In Gaelic folklore and historical accounts, the claidheamh often symbolizes more than a weapon, acting as a legal emblem of status or an ancestral heirloom passed through generations.
- In Gaelic poetry and epic stories, the sword is often personified as a living entity with its own character, rather than just a tool.
Examples in context
- Chluich Seumas leis a’ chlaidheamh.James played with the sword.a’ chlaidheamh is the softened form after the article, meaning the sword.
- Chluich Seumas le claidheamh.James played with a sword.Here le claidheamh means with a sword, and the word keeps its plain form.Tatoeba #9256446 by megamanenm, translation #9256448 by megamanenm
- B' fheudar dhuinn lann an claidheamh a pheantadh airson dath ùr a chur air.We'd have to paint the blade of the sword in order to change the color.lann an claidheamh refers to the blade of the sword.Tatoeba #5918981 by Catriona, translation #5918983 by Catriona
Example conversation
Eilidh and Callum are visiting a museum of ancient weapons.
- EilidhAm claidheamh seo gu sùbailte a bhàthadh.This sword is very well balanced.
- CallumTha e glè shean, a Eilidh.It is very old, Eilidh.
- EilidhCiamar a bhiodh an claidheamh ann an t-sìde?How would the sword be in the weather?
- CallumBha e cruaidh a thogail, a chailte.It was hard to lift, girl.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sword” translations and entries claidheamh, slòighre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
