folder

American  

[fohl-der] / ˈfoʊl dər /

noun

1. a person or thing that folds.

2. a printed sheet, as a circular or timetable, folded into a number of usually pagelike sections.

3. a folded sheet of light cardboard used to cover or hold papers, letters, etc., as in a file.

4. Computers. directory.

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folder British  

/ ˈfəʊldə /

noun

1. a binder or file for holding loose papers, etc

2. a folded circular

3. a machine for folding printed sheets

4. a person or thing that folds

5. computing another name for directory

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Etymology

Origin of folder

First recorded in 1545–55; fold ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“And put the photos in a folder called special things. It helps you part with the physical objects.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Regulars had their usual jotted down in shorthand and kept in a folder to be used as soon as they walked in.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Typically, you have to turn on the computer, log in to maybe more than one screen, then open a folder, then click to a document.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

You might need to go to portals and download documents, and save them in your online folder.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026

I always wanted to look in the red folder to see, but felt like that’s an invasion of privacy or something.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

Related Words

• binder
• file
• pocket