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

Inspired by the landscapes, folklore and traditional craftsmanship of the sertão of Minas Gerais, the film introduces an authentic Brazilian heroine while celebrating one of Brazil’s richest yet least represented cultural regions. — Ed Meza, Variety, 7 July 2026

In 2020, the superstar's pets were also featured in her holiday card, wearing cute winter gear against a black-and-white background reminiscent of her 2020 album folklore. — Jessica Booth, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

And starring Barbie Ferreira as a vigilante web sleuth, their latest project successfully tapped into an earlier strain of viral folklore that resonated strongly with IndieWire’s chief film critic David Ehrlich. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026

Others, already on the flight home, leave with their reputations enhanced, their followers multiplied and their place in World Cup folklore secure. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 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