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

A simple way to imagine this is like making two photocopies of a document but accidentally placing both copies into the same folder instead of separating them.

From Science Daily • May 25, 2026

I have a folder of Latin techno tracks that are specifically with Spanish vocals or Latin percussion.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 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

His manager showed him the folder that contained the precious trade secret, before locking it away once more.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

He typed Win Keegan into the menu, expecting the folder he saw yesterday to appear again, but the search results read There are zero files with that name.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

• binder
• file
• pocket