Dictionary.com
definitions

folk tale

or folk·tale

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.

Origin of folk tale

First recorded in 1890–95
Also called folk story.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for folktales

version, fantasy, fable, biography, information, feature, fiction, book, comedy, memoir, description, myth, autobiography, anecdote, adventure, report, article, tragedy, novel, drama

Examples from the Web for folktales

Contemporary Examples of folktales

Historical Examples of folktales

  • Those who like to compare myths and folktales and ancient scriptures will find a rich field here.

    Aw-Aw-Tam Indian Nights

    J. William Lloyd

British Dictionary definitions for folktales

folk tale

folk story

noun
  1. a tale or legend originating among a people and typically becoming part of an oral tradition
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012