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townsfolk

American  
[tounz-fohk] / ˈtaʊnzˌfoʊk /

plural noun

  1. townspeople.


Etymology

Origin of townsfolk

First recorded in 1730–40; town + 's 1 + 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.

In Odessa, today a part of Ukraine, the townsfolk sympathize with the mutineers, and pay homage to the one dead member of the Potemkin’s crew, a symbol of injustice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

After six years of hold-ups and redesigns on that project — due, he said, to townsfolk endlessly nitpicking his plans — he has decided to bail on Carmel.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2025

Murky and misty streets, coughing townsfolk, and the distant toll of a plague doctor's bell all feature in Hogne's most-watched video, which has racked up 53 million views.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2025

In Canterbury, the mayor swaggered around the public square pressuring townsfolk to open their businesses, drawing an angry crowd of onlookers.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024

Another of his units he lost to conversion when a small-town preacher suddenly caught fire and began igniting the townsfolk with his sermons.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck