folk

noun

\ ˈfōk

plural folk or folks

Definition of folk

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

2 : 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

3 folk or folks plural : a certain kind, class, or group of people old folks just plain folk country folk media folk

4 folk or folks plural : people generally

5 folks plural : the persons of one's own family especially : parents

6 : folk music

folk

adjective

Definition of folk (Entry 2 of 2)

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 More Example Sentences Learn More about folk

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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

If the administration would just take the time to look at the facts, the arrest reports, the folks dying of opioid abuse . . — Yvonne Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "The truth about Lawrence," 14 July 2018 During the Twitch marathon, the folks at Bob Ross Inc. noted a significant increase in calls from libraries seeking permission to show an episode. — Julia Lyon, Washington Post, "People are waiting in line. Is it Hamilton? No, it’s Bob Ross on YouTube.," 13 July 2018 The ratio of pay for CEO Gary Heminger to the median employee is 935-to-1, but take away the folks at the gas stations and the ratio drops to 156-to-1. — Houston Chronicle, "Competition for top talent keeps pay scale high in oil industry," 13 July 2018 Administration statements ultimately seeking zero automotive tariffs suggest the folks in charge don’t realize just how much American manufacturing and workers benefit from the little-known tariff. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Trump's trade war could threaten US pickup production and jobs," 13 July 2018 Yes, the building has a Yelp page, and so does 3 Squares Diner (five stars!), a new outing from the folks who brought you the longtime Wicker Park (now Logan Square) breakfast-lunch crowd-pleaser Jam. — Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, "At 3 Squares Diner there’s a dog that won’t bark," 12 July 2018 The corrosive elements, management assured the folks at The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), were getting concentrated because of that process. — Richard Horan, The Christian Science Monitor, "'The Poisoned City' tells the horrific story of Flint's contaminated water," 10 July 2018 Footage went viral, from Twitter to S.N.L., but #BBQBecky has been around for years, and her new iPhone simply helps the cops come faster to get the black folks out of her sight. — Boots Riley, HWD, "Sorry to Bother You Director Boots Riley Takes a Ride Through Oakland’s Changing Landscape," 2 July 2018 As a thank you to these volunteers, the Morrison Chiropractic practice offered free mini chiropractic sessions to any folks who had volunteered with the restoration effort. — Lisa Peklo, Howard County Times, "Artist captures local landmarks in paintings [West Friendship]," 28 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

After Carly and Martina, indie band Half-Alive and folk musician Liza Anne finished off the series for the day. — Elena Weissmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Emerging Artist Series performers infuse youthful energy and soul into Summerfest," 3 July 2018 Programs such as soccer matches, a live animal show, free kids' activities, a book fair, folk art, and crafts, souvenirs and novelty items for sale will round out the festivities. — Mark Holan/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Hungarian Festival is largest in Ohio: Sun Postings," 26 Aug. 2017 Classical musicians usually refer to their instrument as a violin, and most folk players call it a fiddle. — Michael Austin, chicagotribune.com, "Syrah is like a violin, and shiraz is like a fiddle (but sometimes not)," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'folk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.