folklore

noun

folk·​lore ˈfōk-ˌlȯr 

1

: traditional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people

Paul Bunyan is a figure from folklore.

Like its predecessor, the game draws from elements of African folklore and spiritual beliefs.

—Megan Farokhmanesh

2

: a branch of knowledge that deals with folklore

a specialist in folklore

3

: an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated

the folklore about the health risks of computers

folkloric

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ik 

adjective

folklorish

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ish 

adjective

folklorist

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ist 

noun

folkloristic

ˌfōk-ˌlȯr-ˈi-stik 

adjective

Synonyms of folklore

• mythology
• tradition
• lore

Examples of folklore in a Sentence

The coyote appears in a great deal of Native American folklore.

the rich folklore of Louisiana

He can't tell the difference between fact and folklore.

Recent Examples on the Web

The road trip would become a minor footnote in Beat folklore. — Literary Hub, 29 June 2026

These seven sites sit at a rather eerie intersection of science and folklore. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026

These are places from Filipino folklore, where shapeshifters, demons, witches, and monsters exist. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 June 2026

Through this historical lens, even Robin Hood folklore played differently. — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for folklore

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

folklore

noun

folk·​lore ˈfōk-ˌlō(ə)r 

-ˌlȯ(ə)r

: customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings of a people handed down from generation to generation

folkloric

-ˌlȯr-ik

adjective

folklorist

-ˌlōr-əst 

-ˌlȯr-

noun