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
Megan Farokhmanesh2
: 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
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
Winter can be hard, but the belief that everyone is sadder during the season may simply be folklore passed off as fact.
—Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
In Ukraine, Odesa residents held a traditional celebration called Malanka, featuring traditional costumes, folklore characters, songs, dances, theatrical performances and other rituals meant to bring prosperity in the new year.
—CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
According to folklore, a magical fox runs across the snowy wilderness of Lapland, and as its tail brushes against the snowflakes, sparks fly into the sky, creating the lights.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
As the attacks continue, ancient folklore and superstition bleed into a terrifying reality.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folklore
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Rafaela Jinich, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
In Ukraine, Odesa residents held a traditional celebration called Malanka, featuring traditional costumes, folklore characters, songs, dances, theatrical performances and other rituals meant to bring prosperity in the new year.
—CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025
According to folklore, a magical fox runs across the snowy wilderness of Lapland, and as its tail brushes against the snowflakes, sparks fly into the sky, creating the lights.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
As the attacks continue, ancient folklore and superstition bleed into a terrifying reality.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folklore
Cite this Entry
“Folklore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folklore. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
-ˌlȯr-ik
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