folksy

American  

[fohk-see] / ˈfoʊk si /

adjective

folksier, folksiest

1. friendly or neighborly; sociable.

2. very informal; familiar; unceremonious.

   The politician affected a folksy style.

3. belonging to the common people, especially in regard to a conscious use of mannerisms, speech patterns, attitudes, etc..

   folksy humor.

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folksy British  

/ ˈfəʊksɪ /

adjective

1. of or like ordinary people; sometimes used derogatorily to describe affected simplicity

2. informal friendly; affable

3. of or relating to folk art

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Other Word Forms

• folksiness
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of folksy

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; folks + -y ¹,

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Explanation

Something folksy is down-to-earth and comfortable. An airline pilot's folksy voice can be calming to nervous passengers. A folksy restaurant is a modest, familiar kind of place to eat, where the food is plain and you don't need a reservation. A roots or country music group might strive for a folksy look and sound, and a folksy letter has an informal style and colloquial, everyday language. The word folksy was born in the United States in the 1850s, from folk, or "common people."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

folksy folksier folksiest

Masino had sought to update Cracker Barrel for a younger generation of consumers, including remaking its folksy logo and changing its menu.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

And Ted, our folksy hero, is showing real growth.

From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2026

As the action progresses, Doralee brings grit and common sense to the trio, showcasing Parton’s ability to deliver homespun wit without ever falling into folksy caricature.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

From the late 1960s onward, she took special delight in winning over audiences with a playful personality, folksy naturalism and eager singing voice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

A master showman, he urged bidders on with folksy sayings like “Come on boys, this old wildcat is liable to have a mess of kittens.”

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Fans of Led Zeppelin’s folksier side will appreciate Plant’s return to Appalachian bluegrass, and the covers of artists from Merle Haggard to Bert Jansch to Geeshie Wiley.

From New York Times ● Sep. 17, 2021

Fortunately, Nelson’s crew had folksier wisdom to dispense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2020

For many Koreans, there is a collective shame about the folksier elements of their own culture.

From The Guardian ● May 8, 2017

The new “Voices of Pearl Harbor” tour uses a folksier approach, with acoustic guitar and ukulele music playing in the background as Bruner talks about the waterfront and Waikiki, circa 1941.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 20, 2015

It was always sixties music too—I recognized the Beatles and some of the folksier stuff you hear on the classic rock stations.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

With studied informality, the Donner Trail Ranch manages to be both the fanciest and the folksiest in the Reno area.

From Time Magazine Archive

Spirit Lake is distended by a cast of more than four dozen major characters cursed with total recall and the folksiest dialect since Mr. Dooley.

From Time Magazine Archive

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Related Words

• down-to-earth
• homey
• low-key
• rustic
• unpretentious

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