folklore

1 of 2

noun (1)

folk·​lore ˈfōk-ˌlȯr 

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

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

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ik 

adjective

folklorish

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ish 

adjective

folklorist

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ist 

noun

folkloristic

ˌfōk-ˌlȯr-ˈi-stik 

adjective

folklorist

2 of 2

noun (2)

folk·​lor·​ist -rə̇st 

plural -s

: a student of folklore

folkloristic

¦⸗ˌ⸗¦istik 

-tēk

adjective

Synonyms of folklore

Noun (1)

• mythology
• tradition
• lore

Examples of folklore in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

Growing intellectual interest in African American folklore generated fresh research into Hoodoo during the early 20th century, much of it collected by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s and ’40s. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Happening upon this information, for first-time feature filmmaker Ryninks (who is also doing a master’s in folklore), felt like fate. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

According to folklore, Friday plus 13 equals a double dose of bad luck. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

But Jake Elsas said his research points to an origin that is less quaint than neighborhood folklore might suggest. — Brian Unger, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for folklore

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids 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

-ˌlȯr-ik

adjective

folklorist

-ˌlōr-əst 

-ˌlȯr-

noun