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
On their last night together before Raissa leaves, the two stumble upon a strange portal that transports them to the island of Nakali, which is filled with mythological creatures pulled from Filipino folklore and mythology.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Each of the fairies has a story, a job, a favorite flower and a name that draws on folklore and cultures from around the world.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Much of the Ivorian history and folklore she’s gleaned over the years was taught to her by her mother, who still rehearses with her and sometimes performs with her onstage.
—Chinonso Ihekire, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Now the huge community theater operation Curtain Call in Stamford is doing its own version of the Terrence McNally/Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Ahrens musical based on Russian history, Russian folklore, a 1956 Ingrid Bergman/Yul Brunner movie and the 1997 cartoon movie.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folklore
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Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Each of the fairies has a story, a job, a favorite flower and a name that draws on folklore and cultures from around the world.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Much of the Ivorian history and folklore she’s gleaned over the years was taught to her by her mother, who still rehearses with her and sometimes performs with her onstage.
—Chinonso Ihekire, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
Now the huge community theater operation Curtain Call in Stamford is doing its own version of the Terrence McNally/Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Ahrens musical based on Russian history, Russian folklore, a 1956 Ingrid Bergman/Yul Brunner movie and the 1997 cartoon movie.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for folklore
Cite this Entry
“Folklore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folklore. Accessed 31 Mar. 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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