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menfolk

American

[men-fohk] / ˈmɛnˌfoʊk /

Also menfolks

plural noun

men, especially those belonging to a family or community.

The menfolk are all working in the fields.

menfolk British

/ ˈmɛnˌfəʊk /

plural noun

men collectively, esp the men of a particular family

"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

Etymology

Origin of menfolk

First recorded in 1795–1805; men + folk

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Most gallingly for their menfolk, these previously disenchanted wives had also found self-confidence and a notable degree of emotional independence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

This being a western, there are plenty of menfolk squinting and spitting, making threats and getting into fights; certainly Jacob and Spencer are heroes of traditional dye.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2025

The bonhomie of an informal support network, independent of their menfolk and families.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2023

Mensah pokes gentle fun at her heroine and treats the failings of some of the menfolk here with deadpan wit and little rancor.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2022

Then, in the 1920s, when elsewhere in the world the menfolk took a break between wars to perfect the airplane and the automobile, a white man finally did set eyes on the okapi.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023