folk 1 of 2

noun

ˈfōk How to pronounce folk (audio)
Definition of folknext
1
as in family
folks plural a group of persons who come from the same ancestor her folks have farmed that land for five generations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in class
one of the segments of society into which people are grouped the working-class folk with no airs or pretentions

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in people
folks plural human beings in general c'mon, folks, let's get to work

Synonyms & Similar Words

folk

2 of 2

adjective

as in tribal

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of folk
Noun
The folk duo released their debut eponymous album in 2006 and co-starred in the film Once, written and directed by John Carney (Begin Again, Sing Street). — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026 For folks who grew up in the area, seeing kids back in the water here is a welcome sight. — Dan Snyder, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Adjective
This year, the event will feature more folk dancing groups, Plevrakis said, and guests can enjoy a DJ on Friday and Sunday, plus a live band on Saturday. — Christine Condon, baltimoresun.com, 13 June 2019 After Carly and Martina, indie band Half-Alive and folk musician Liza Anne finished off the series for the day. — Elena Weissmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 July 2018 See All Example Sentences for folk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for folk
  1. family
  2. class
  3. people
  4. tribal
  5. clan
  6. caste
  7. humanity
  8. ethnic
Noun
  • People ‘in the middle’ While many are flocking to take advantage of an $8 burger, Alicia Roten’s family is simply trying not to eat out at all.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Officials are relying on reports from the families of victims and survivors in an attempt to determine the number of those missing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of family
Noun
  • However, the game faces criticism for keeping legends locked to Ultimate Team and the continued absence of draft class imports from EA College Football.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Over the last month in state and federal courts across the country, athletes who are from the high school graduating class of 2022 have sued the NCAA over the same basic issue.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of class
Noun
  • Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
  • Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.
    — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Definition of people
Adjective
  • The fight against major fires across the country is often coordinated by the National Interagency Coordination Center and staffed by personnel from a combination of federal, tribal, state, local and territorial agencies.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Four Michigan tribal nations along with several environmental groups sued.
    — Jeffrey Collins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of tribal
Noun
  • Though another fox clan ultimately adopts him, their care feels like only a temporary reprieve from advancing human nihilism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026
  • This large family group, including dozens of women and children from the Hassayna and Abu Sharia clan in Gaza City, died nearly three years ago.
    — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • Tulu society is organized into several castes and communities, including Billavas, Shivalli Brahmins, Bunts, and Mogaveeras.
    — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Aug. 2026
  • No movement could represent every young Indian across the country's profound differences of class, caste, gender, language, geography and digital access.
    — Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of caste
Noun
  • Roopika Risam is a professor of digital humanities and social engagement at Dartmouth.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Burch’s brilliantly witty, biting and all-knowing screenplay never satirizes these characters or looks down on them in a movie Jones and his exceptional actors have blessed with sheer humanity and grace.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of humanity
Adjective
  • Tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced as pro-democracy groups and ethnic rebels battle the military across the country.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There are ongoing disputes in the region between farmers from the Hausa ethnic group and Fulani cattle herders over access to grazing land.
    — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ethnic

Browse Nearby Words

folios
folk
folklife
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Cite this Entry

“Folk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folk. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on folk

Nglish: Translation of folk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about folk

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