Beauty in Irish (Áilleacht): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for beauty?

The Irish for beauty is áilleacht (pronounced “AWL-yukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is áilleachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean beautiful thing.

Q: What is the plural of beauty in Irish?

The plural of áilleacht is áilleachtaí; with the article, na háilleachtaí means “the beauties”. The genitive plural is áilleachtaí, as in áilleachtaí na tíre (the country's beauties).

Q: Does áilleacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Áilleacht can mean beauty or beautiful thing, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “beauty” in Irish

Irish:: áilleacht
English:: beauty, beautiful thing
Word type:: noun
Gender:: feminine, third declension
Pronunciation:: “AWL-yukht” /ˈɑːlʲəxt̪ˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: áilleachtaí (beauties)
Genitive singular:: áilleachta, na háilleachta (e.g. sárshaothar áilleachta, a masterpiece of beauty)
Genitive plural:: áilleachtaí, na n-áilleachtaí (e.g. áilleachtaí na tíre, the country's beauties)

What does “áilleacht” mean?

“Áilleacht” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

beauty: The quality of being beautiful or very pleasing to look at or experience.Also: loveliness, prettiness, attractiveness.

1 other meaning: beautiful thing

2beautiful thing: A beautiful thing or feature, often used in the plural for beauties or charms.Also: beauty, charm.

Other Irish words for beauty: maise (adornment), gnaoi (beauty), áille (beauty)

“Áilleacht” with the article

The plural of beauty in Irish is áilleachtaí. Here is áilleacht after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an áilleacht

the beauty

No change: feminine nouns starting with a vowel keep their form after an

na háilleachtaí

the beauties

Plural: na adds h before a vowel

“Áilleacht” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using áilleacht, the Irish word for beauty.

Tá áilleacht ar leith ag an áit seo.

This place has a special beauty.

Chuir áilleacht na tíre iontas orm.

The beauty of the countryside amazed me.

Níl aon áilleacht ag baint leis an mbaile seo.

There's no beauty in this town.

Bhí sí cáiliúil as a háilleacht.

She was famous for her beauty.

Is iomaí áilleacht atá le feiceáil i gConamara.

There are many beautiful things to see in Connemara.

Chuir áilleacht na n-íomhánna iontas orm.

The beauty of the images amazed me.

Tá áilleacht sa tsimplíocht.

There is beauty in simplicity.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

gnéaspect dearmadforgetfulness céquay comharthasign maoiniúfunding sprioctarget

Beauty in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for beauty?

The Irish for beauty is áilleacht (pronounced “AWL-yukht”). It’s a feminine noun and the plural is áilleachtaí. Depending on context it can also mean beautiful thing.

How do you pronounce áilleacht in Irish?

Áilleacht is said like “AWL-yukht” (IPA /ˈɑːlʲəxt̪ˠ/).

What is the plural of beauty in Irish?

The plural of áilleacht is áilleachtaí; with the article, na háilleachtaí means “the beauties”. The genitive plural is áilleachtaí, as in áilleachtaí na tíre (the country's beauties).

Does áilleacht have more than one meaning?

Yes. Áilleacht can mean beauty or beautiful thing, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does áilleacht sometimes have a t or h in front of it?

Irish nouns beginning with a vowel take a prefix after certain words: an áilleacht (the beauty), a háilleacht (her beauty), a n-áilleacht (their beauty), na háilleachtaí (the beauties).

What is the difference between 'áilleacht' and 'scéimh'?

'Áilleacht' is the everyday word for beauty in general, while 'scéimh' is more literary and usually refers to a person's good looks.

Beauty in Irish (Áilleacht): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage