folk

1 of 2

noun

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

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
Highlights include Filipino folk dancing and music, colorful costumes and performances by local Filipino American groups, along with Filipino cuisine. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024 As a result, the Internet has been having a field day with the news—folks rejoiced as beloved stars like Josh O'Connor and Kerry Washington were announced. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 30 May 2024
Adjective
As has been its wont for many years now, over its three days the festival offers a lineup that mixes folk and roots (however understood) and non-folk artists. Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2022 The songwriter in question is Phoebe Kreutz, darling of the New York City anti-folk movement of the early ‘00s. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for folk 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'folk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of folk was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near folk

Cite this Entry

“Folk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folk. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

folk

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on folk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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