folk tale

Or folk·tale

[fohk teyl]

noun

1. a tale or legend originating and traditional among a people or folk, especially one forming part of the oral tradition of the common people.

2. any belief or story passed on traditionally, especially one considered to be false or based on superstition.

folk tale

noun

1. a tale or legend originating among a people and typically becoming part of an oral tradition

Word History and Origins

Origin of folk tale¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

These feel-good features function almost like folk tales: a recognizable parable in which a benevolent stranger swoops in to resolve a community’s shameful problem, restoring order before the credits roll.

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Topics covered by the series range from forgotten characters to intriguing folk tales, such as the "missing" bugler of Kirkstead Abbey.

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“I think there’s the folk tales, the storytelling aspect that you see in Western African music that’s also a very big part of country music,” he said.

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Historical accounts and later folk tales suggest white horses were valued for sacrifices, for example.

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Sweet July’s first title, forthcoming in January, will be Roselle Lim’s Chinese folk tale “Celestial Banquet.”

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