folk

1 of 2

noun

ˈfōk 

plural folk or folks

1

folk or folks plural : people generally

2

folk or folks plural : a certain kind, class, or group of people

old folks

just plain folk

country folk

media folk

3

folks plural : the persons of one's own family

especially : parents

4

: folk music

5

: the great proportion of the members of a people that determines the group character and that tends to preserve its characteristic form of civilization and its customs, arts and crafts, legends, traditions, and superstitions from generation to generation

6

archaic : a group of kindred tribes forming a nation : people

folk

2 of 2

adjective

1

: originating or traditional with the common people of a country or region and typically reflecting their lifestyle

folk hero

folk music

2

: of or relating to the common people or to the study of the common people

folk sociology

Synonyms

Noun

• blood
• clan
• family
• house
• kin
• kindred
• kinfolk
• kinfolks
• kinsfolk
• line
• lineage
• people
• race
• stock
• tribe

Examples of folk in a Sentence

Noun

Folks say that house is haunted.

Some folks think the law should be changed.

a home for old folks

the distinctive speech of folks from the South

I'll be spending the holidays with my folks.

His folks gave him everything a kid could want.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The album was a return to mainstream country music for Parton after doing mainly folk, bluegrass, and pop-country records in the 90s and early 2000s. —Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

These folks are just coming into their earning potential. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English folc; akin to Old High German folc people

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing folk

• folk art
• folk etymology
• folk hero
• folk mass
• folk medicine
• folk music
• folk remedy
• folk singer
• folk song

Kids Definition

folk

1 of 2 noun

ˈfōk 

plural folk or folks

1

: a group of people forming a tribe or nation

2

plural : a certain kind or class of people

country folks

3

plural : people in general

4

folks plural : the persons of one's own family

especially : parents

visit my folks

5

: folk music

folk

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, or originating among the common people of a country or region

folk customs

folk music