folk song
noun
: a traditional or composed song typically characterized by stanzaic form, refrain, and simplicity of melody
Examples of folk song in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Roger Whittaker, a British singer whose easy-listening ballads and folk songs caught the sentiments of perfect summer days and last farewells, touching the hearts of mainly older fans across Europe and America for four decades, died on Sep. 12 in a hospital near Toulouse, in the south of France.
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Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
The group of three male singers will sing classic 1960s folk songs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2023
In it, Daniels shares meaningful memories, tells funny anecdotes, acts out vignettes from his scripts and imagination, and performs the contemporary folk songs that have given him a side gig as a singer-songwriter.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 7 Sep. 2023
Dating from 1923, his Five Pieces for String Quartet sound like an edgier Czech parallel to Bartók’s transformations of Hungarian and Romanian folk songs and dances.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 6 July 2023
Whenever there’s a pause in the action, a folk song will occupy our time.
—Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2023
Anthony’s folk song, released August 8, quickly caught on in right-wing circles for its lyrics criticizing taxes, inflation, and welfare (controversially), and those titular rich men are politicians in Washington.
—Vulture, 21 Aug. 2023
Hundreds of people in Cincinnati sang folk songs and put on one final show for their friend, Jerry Springer.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 9 June 2023
Nearby, a bearded man in a folding chair strummed his guitar, playing praise music and folk songs.
—Linda K. Wertheimer, The New Republic, 30 May 2023
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Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
The group of three male singers will sing classic 1960s folk songs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2023
In it, Daniels shares meaningful memories, tells funny anecdotes, acts out vignettes from his scripts and imagination, and performs the contemporary folk songs that have given him a side gig as a singer-songwriter.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 7 Sep. 2023
Dating from 1923, his Five Pieces for String Quartet sound like an edgier Czech parallel to Bartók’s transformations of Hungarian and Romanian folk songs and dances.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 6 July 2023
Whenever there’s a pause in the action, a folk song will occupy our time.
—Odie Henderson, BostonGlobe.com, 25 May 2023
Anthony’s folk song, released August 8, quickly caught on in right-wing circles for its lyrics criticizing taxes, inflation, and welfare (controversially), and those titular rich men are politicians in Washington.
—Vulture, 21 Aug. 2023
Hundreds of people in Cincinnati sang folk songs and put on one final show for their friend, Jerry Springer.
—Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 9 June 2023
Nearby, a bearded man in a folding chair strummed his guitar, playing praise music and folk songs.
—Linda K. Wertheimer, The New Republic, 30 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'folk song.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1843, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near folk song
Cite this Entry
“Folk song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folk%20song. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
folk song
noun
: a traditional or composed song typically having stanzas, a refrain, and a simple melody
More from Merriam-Webster on folk song
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for folk song
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about folk song
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