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

Relevance

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 Fever guard had recently taken a stance against biological males competing in women’s/girls sports, and a few dozen folks showed up to express their gratitude for her position. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 And for folks listening to this, wanting to do the job themselves, my best advice on this subject would be try not to think too much in terms of streaming versus cable versus network versus podcast versus whatever. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 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
  • The story tracks a Chinese chef who moves to the Middle East to clear family debts by running a restaurant, only to see the venue become a community refuge when armed conflict breaks out across the region.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Before her death, several Ruston businesses participated in a fundraiser to celebrate Lillian’s birthday and donate part of their proceeds to the family, according to CNN affiliate KNOE.
    — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of family
Noun
  • Authorities have introduced new rules in recent years, including a cap on the maximum number of climbers per day and requiring them to take a brief class about hiking safety.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond the dreamy spa treatments, there’s much planned for wellness at Luura, from on-site classes and contrast therapy in the sauna and cold plunge to off-site adventures like hiking and trail running.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 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
  • States and tribal groups accuse them of offering an unlicensed gambling product under the guise of being a financial asset.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • On Sunday, dancers and musicians from various Miwok, Pomo and Patwin tribal dance groups will continue their ceremonies at the Big Time event, as well as the Kalpulli Maquilli Tonatiuh Aztec dance troupe.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of tribal
Noun
  • Prince Harry and Meghan’s surprise homecoming will undoubtedly trigger a frenzy of speculation in Britain where the Windsor clan’s family dramas routinely grip the nation.
    — Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The historic home, situated between Via Rodari and Piazza Roma, dates to the 16th and 17th centuries and takes its name from a noble clan that included Pope Innocent XI, head of the Catholic Church in the late 1600s.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of clan
Noun
  • Written nearly a century ago, the statement remains strikingly relevant, particularly in conversations about economic inequality, privilege, caste, education, and poverty.
    — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Tulu society is organized into several castes and communities, including Billavas, Shivalli Brahmins, Bunts, and Mogaveeras.
    — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of caste
Noun
  • Totally ignoring the humanity of both worker and customer is rude, and yet both parties are interested in getting on with whatever the transaction is.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The phenomenon may have a special appeal to youth in the region due to a culture of assembling in public areas, Frederick Luis Aldama, a humanities professor at the University of Texas at Austin, told CNN.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of humanity
Adjective
  • The Chinese Nutrition Society placed a tall glass of milk next to its 2022 Food Guide Plate – never mind estimates that the vast majority of Han Chinese, the largest ethnic group in China and worldwide, are lactose intolerant.
    — Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The suspect, 35-year-old Jorden Perozo, is charged with battery and harassment based on religious or ethnic heritage.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of ethnic

Browse Nearby Words

folios
folk
folklife
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Folk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/folk. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on folk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about folk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of southpaw

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All