WordGarden.iofolk
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈəʊk/
US
- /ˈfoʊk/
Meanings
Noun
people in general or people of a particular kind or place
one's parents or family
folk music
Adjective
traditional and connected with the culture of ordinary people
Beyond the definition
"Folk" is not just about villagers in old stories. It usually means ordinary people in a place or group, as in "the folk in town were very welcoming." It also has a strong link to tradition, which is why we say "folk music," "folk art," and "folklore" for things that grow out of the life and stories of a community.
In everyday English, the plural form "folks" is also very common. It can mean people in general in a friendly way, and it can also mean your parents or family, as in, "I'm going home to visit my folks." The word carries a feeling of shared life, local culture, and simple human connection.
The word "folk" has a rich history. It originally meant simply "people" or "nation," and over time it came to suggest community, tradition, and shared life. It can still be used as a general word for people, as in "the local folk are very friendly," but it is especially common in contexts that point to cultural tradition.
"Folk music," for example, is the traditional music of a community, usually passed down by hearing and memory rather than by formal written music. In the same way, "folklore" includes the stories, beliefs, customs, and art forms shared by a group. Fairy tales, legends, proverbs, and traditional crafts are all part of a people's folklore.
"Folk" can also suggest something simple, traditional, and close to everyday life. "Folk art" often includes handmade objects made with traditional methods. It values the creativity of ordinary people rather than formal training. This idea also appears in "folk wisdom," meaning common beliefs or practical advice passed from person to person, even when it is not based on science.
Whether you are talking about the music of a region, the stories passed down in a family, or simply the "folks" you grew up with, the word suggests shared history and cultural identity. It reminds us that people are connected by the traditions, stories, and everyday ways of life they share.
Examples
- 1
Local people
The folk in this town are quick to help a neighbor.
- Grammar
When folk means people, it usually takes a plural verb: folk are ...
- 2
Everyday preference
Some folk still prefer to pay in cash.
- 3
Older people
Older folk often remember the street before all these new buildings went up.
- 4
Public policy
The policy was meant to help ordinary folk, not large corporations.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Family
We stayed with my wife's folk over the weekend.
- Phrasesomeone's folk
their family or relatives
- 6
Music
My grandfather still listens to a lot of folk music.
- 7
Art
The museum has a small but beautiful collection of folk art.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- folknounadjective
Forms
- folkspluralnounadjective