folk

[ fohk ]

noun

1. Usually folks. (used with a plural verb) people in general:

   Folks say there wasn't much rain last summer.

2. Often folks. (used with a plural verb) people of a specified class or group:

   country folk; poor folks.

3. (used with a plural verb) people as the carriers of culture, especially as representing the composite of social mores, customs, forms of behavior, etc., in a society:

   The folk are the bearers of oral tradition.

4. folks, Informal.
   1. members of one's family; one's relatives:

      All his folks come from France.

   2. one's parents:

      Will your folks let you go?

   Synonyms: tribe, clan, people, kin, kinfolk

5. Archaic. a people or tribe.

adjective

1. of or originating among the common people:

   folk beliefs; a folk hero.

2. having unknown origins and reflecting the traditional forms of a society:

   folk culture; folk art.

folk

/ fəʊk /

noun

1. functioning as plural; often plural in form people in general, esp those of a particular group or class

   country folk

2. informal.
   functioning as plural; usually plural in form members of a family
3. See folk music
   informal.
   functioning as singular short for folk music
4. a people or tribe
5. modifier relating to, originating from, or traditional to the common people of a country

   a folk song

Derived Forms

• ˈfolkishness, noun
• ˈfolkish, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of folk¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English folc; cognate with Old Saxon, Old Norse folk, Old High German folk ( German Volk )

Word History and Origins

Origin of folk¹

Old English folc ; related to Old Saxon, Old Norse, Old High German folk

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. just folks, Informal. (of persons) simple, unaffected, unsophisticated, or open-hearted people:

   He enjoyed visiting his grandparents because they were just folks.

More idioms and phrases containing folk

see just folks .

Example Sentences

Many folks who have lived in the area for a long time are likely to recall prior storms that they weathered just fine, and figure they can survive whatever the next one brings as well.

From Popular-Science

Now, the government agency says only folks displaying symptoms should seek a coronavirus test.

From Popular-Science

I’m not sure many folks in Hollywood would be excited at that, so you might want to think twice about that.

From Ozy

All those folks who sacrificed and overcame so much in their own times because they wanted something more, something better for their kids.

From Fortune

“It’s taken how extreme this disease is to highlight things that have always been challenges for some folks in our region,” Greene said.

From Voice of San Diego

Some will be avoiding New Year festivities entirely—and very sensible folk they are too.

From The Daily Beast

The twang we hear as emblematic of white country music is actually the direct descendant of black folk music banjo.

From The Daily Beast

Phonetic, made-up lyrics are another venerable tradition of folk music, and “pa-rum-pa-pa-pum” is iconic of the genre.

From The Daily Beast

The folk memory of medieval community life had been wiped out by the industrial revolution.

From The Daily Beast

Weeks went by where all they recorded were cover versions of old folk songs and country hits.

From The Daily Beast

There are some folk in this country, you know, who manifest a very retiring disposition at times.

From Project Gutenberg

It was no wonder that he felt quite at home in the duck-pond, which was made for web-footed folk.

From Project Gutenberg

Most of the feathered folk agreed that Mr. Blackbird ought not to have spokenp.

From Project Gutenberg

Mademoiselle snatched it from the hand, which was very tiny, and pink, with dimples where grown up folk have knuckles.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Meadow Mouse did not hesitate to use it, being one of those fortunate folk that are quite at home anywhere.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• community
• family
• group
• people
• public