folk music

American  

noun

1. music, usually of simple character and anonymous authorship, handed down among the common people by oral tradition.

2. music by known composers that has become part of the folk tradition of a country or region.

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folk music British  

noun

1. music that is passed on from generation to generation by oral tradition Compare art music

2. any music composed in the idiom of this oral tradition

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folk music Cultural  

1. A kind of music originating from the ordinary people of a region or nation and continued by oral tradition. The ballad (see also ballad) is a typical form of folk music. Music is also called “folk” when it is made by artists and composers who are inspired by, or imitate, true folk music. Composers such as Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie are folk musicians of the second kind.

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Etymology

Origin of folk music

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

During his reign at Columbia/CBS, the company threw open its doors to rock and folk music, issuing early albums from Springsteen, Santana, Aerosmith, Laura Nyro and Billy Joel.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

It’s not just about folk music; it’s about the artists — the people, really — who make it.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026

Mustafa — the richly baritoned Toronto singer-songwriter whose 2024 LP “Dunya” drew wide praise — has become a significant figure straddling global folk music and activism.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

Born in Glasgow into a singing family, he released a number of albums over the years and was among the earliest steel-string players in British folk music.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2025

Unlike folk music, it has usually been written recently and belongs to professional musicians, and new popular tunes quickly replace old ones.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• country music