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
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
But Ian’s place in Crystal Palace folklore will remain for a long, long time.
—
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
In early 2023, filmmaker Rolla Selbak completed her script for The Visitor, a horror feature steeped in Palestinian folklore.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
The film’s seamless structure weaves together elements of folklore, intimate observation and environmental urgency.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
In Seychellois folklore, it was said to hold the feminine spirit of the earth, fertility embodied in botanical form.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folklore
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Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
In early 2023, filmmaker Rolla Selbak completed her script for The Visitor, a horror feature steeped in Palestinian folklore.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
The film’s seamless structure weaves together elements of folklore, intimate observation and environmental urgency.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
In Seychellois folklore, it was said to hold the feminine spirit of the earth, fertility embodied in botanical form.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 22 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2025.
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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