Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » folk

folk

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Folk means people in general, or a specific group of people.

(noun)

An example of folk is saying that Amish people live a simple life; simple life of the Amish folk.

The definition of folk is someone or something associated with traditional or common culture.

(adjective)

An example of folk is the music of Bob Dylan.

See folk in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a people or nation; ethnic group: a peaceful folk
pl. folks or folk people in general; persons: folks differ in their tastes; city folk sometimes vacation in the country

Origin: ME < OE folc, akin to Ger volk < Gmc *fulca-, army, group of warriors < ?

adjective

of, originating among, or having to do with the common people, who transmit the general culture of the group through succeeding generations: folk art

See folk in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. folk folk or folks

a. The common people of a society or region considered as the representatives of a traditional way of life and especially as the originators or carriers of the customs, beliefs, and arts that make up a distinctive culture: a leader who came from the folk.
b. Archaic A nation; a people.
Informal People in general. Often used in the plural: Folks around here are very friendly.
People of a specified group or kind. Often used in the plural: city folks; rich folk.
folks Informal
a. The members of one's family or childhood household; one's relatives.
b. One's parents: My folks are coming for a visit.