folklore

noun

folk·​lore ˈfōk-ˌlȯr How to pronounce folklore (audio)
1
: traditional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people
The coyote appears in much of Native American folklore.
Paul Bunyan is a figure from folklore.
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 adjective
folklorish adjective
folklorist noun
folkloristic adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Howard Schwartz’s version of Rabbinic folktales, the images and storylines of Jewish folklore become colorful, polymorphic, and wondrous while never losing an aura of ancient scariness. Jon Raymond august 5, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025 On a more somber note, some accounts suggest the presence of enslaved children in the building’s folklore, a haunting reminder of the region’s—and the home’s—complicated and painful past. Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 29 July 2025 Animation rooted in traditional Chinese folklore, enhanced with state-of-the-art special effects, has proven to be a winning formula. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 20 July 2025 In folklore and literature, encountering someone who could be your twin has traditionally been viewed as a bad omen. Alexa Juliana Ard, USA Today, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for folklore

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of folklore was in 1846

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Cite this Entry

“Folklore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folklore. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

folklore

noun
folk·​lore ˈfōk-ˌlō(ə)r How to pronounce folklore (audio)
-ˌlȯ(ə)r
: customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings of a people handed down from generation to generation
folkloric
-ˌlȯr-ik
adjective
folklorist
-ˌlōr-əst How to pronounce folklore (audio)
-ˌlȯr-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on folklore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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