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plural folk or folks
1
folk or folks plural
: people generally
2
folk or folks plural
: a certain kind, class, or group of people
old folks
just plain folk
country folk
media folk
3
4
: folk music
5
: the great proportion of the members of a people that determines the group character and that tends to preserve its characteristic form of civilization and its customs, arts and crafts, legends, traditions, and superstitions from generation to generation
6
archaic
: a group of kindred tribes forming a nation : people
1
: originating or traditional with the common people of a country or region and typically reflecting their lifestyle
folk hero
folk music
2
: of or relating to the common people or to the study of the common people
folk sociology
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
Folks say that house is haunted.
Some folks think the law should be changed.
a home for old folks
the distinctive speech of folks from the South
I'll be spending the holidays with my folks.
His folks gave him everything a kid could want.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Yahr, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023
The company’s claim to fame is Argentina’s centuries-old malambo, a rigorous stomping folk dance traditionally performed by gauchos.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2023
In an effort to connect with Somers, Chance name-dropped a famous friend who also reimagined the ‘70s folk tune.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023
After a young Jane performs at her local music festival, folk legend Jesse Reid discovers her.
—Town & Country, 18 Mar. 2023
That bit of folk wisdom hasn’t always worked to my advantage, but a trip to the west coast of Scotland left me more convinced than ever.
—Matthew Kronsberg, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2023
Its homespun indie-folk vibe was arrived at by collaborating with producers Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff virtually while tracking vocals in her L.A. home.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 16 Mar. 2023
Lindhome is also one-half of the comedy folk duo Garfunkel and Oates, along with Kate Micucci, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for their comedy special, Garfunkel and Oates: Trying to Be Special, in 2016.
—Karli Bendlin, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2023
Debbie Friedman would be folk, and Ofra Haza would be in the World category.
—Alan Zeitlin, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2023
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2022
The Moscow-born and Bronx-raised singer/songwriter/pianist has been performing for 20 years now, starting in the anti-folk scene in New York’s East Village.
—Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 July 2022
Merrifield sought instead to explore folk magic through the material objects that the practitioners themselves had left behind.
—Geoff Manaugh, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2019
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
Programs such as soccer matches, a live animal show, free kids' activities, a book fair, folk art, and crafts, souvenirs and novelty items for sale will round out the festivities.
—Mark Holan/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 26 Aug. 2017
Classical musicians usually refer to their instrument as a violin, and most folk players call it a fiddle.
—Michael Austin, chicagotribune.com, 20 June 2017
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Noun
The lineup was mainly a mix of country, Americana, folk and rock singers.
—Emily Yahr, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023
The company’s claim to fame is Argentina’s centuries-old malambo, a rigorous stomping folk dance traditionally performed by gauchos.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2023
In an effort to connect with Somers, Chance name-dropped a famous friend who also reimagined the ‘70s folk tune.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023
After a young Jane performs at her local music festival, folk legend Jesse Reid discovers her.
—Town & Country, 18 Mar. 2023
That bit of folk wisdom hasn’t always worked to my advantage, but a trip to the west coast of Scotland left me more convinced than ever.
—Matthew Kronsberg, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2023
Its homespun indie-folk vibe was arrived at by collaborating with producers Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff virtually while tracking vocals in her L.A. home.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 16 Mar. 2023
Lindhome is also one-half of the comedy folk duo Garfunkel and Oates, along with Kate Micucci, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for their comedy special, Garfunkel and Oates: Trying to Be Special, in 2016.
—Karli Bendlin, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2023
Debbie Friedman would be folk, and Ofra Haza would be in the World category.
—Alan Zeitlin, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2023
Adjective
The songwriter in question is Phoebe Kreutz, darling of the New York City anti-folk movement of the early ‘00s.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 July 2022
The Moscow-born and Bronx-raised singer/songwriter/pianist has been performing for 20 years now, starting in the anti-folk scene in New York’s East Village.
—Sean P. Means, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 July 2022
Merrifield sought instead to explore folk magic through the material objects that the practitioners themselves had left behind.
—Geoff Manaugh, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2019
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
Programs such as soccer matches, a live animal show, free kids' activities, a book fair, folk art, and crafts, souvenirs and novelty items for sale will round out the festivities.
—Mark Holan/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 26 Aug. 2017
Classical musicians usually refer to their instrument as a violin, and most folk players call it a fiddle.
—Michael Austin, chicagotribune.com, 20 June 2017
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'folk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English folc; akin to Old High German folc people
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of folk was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing folk
Articles Related to folk
Dictionary Entries Near folk
Cite this Entry
“Folk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folk. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
folk
2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or originating among the common people of a country or region
folk customs
folk music
More from Merriam-Webster on folk
Nglish: Translation of folk for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of folk for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about folk
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