folk

folk — noun

1. ordinary people thought of as a group, especially those who share a particular b

1.nounA2
Definition

ordinary people thought of as a group, especially those who share a particular background, way of life, or set of beliefs

Example

The local folk gather at the market every Saturday morning.

local folk: people from a particular area

Country folk often know the best spots for wild mushrooms.

country folk: people living in rural areas

Common collocations
  • country folk
  • town folk
  • local folk
  • ordinary folk
  • folk around here
  • these folk
Synonyms
  • people

    neutral and more common; 'folk' feels warmer and more personal

  • community

    focuses on shared location rather than shared background

  • population

    statistical or formal; no personal warmth

Antonyms
  • elite

    refers to a small, powerful group at the top of society

Grammar Patterns

folk + plural verb

Usage Note

Always used as a plural noun in this sense. You say 'these folk are...' not 'this folk is.'. More informal and warmer than 'people'.

Common Mistakes

The folk is very friendly in this village.
The folk are very friendly in this village.
'folk' takes a plural verb.

2. a friendly way to address or refer to two or more people when speaking informall

2.nounA2
Definition

a friendly way to address or refer to two or more people when speaking informally

Example

Right, folks, let's get started with the meeting.

folks as direct address at the start of a sentence

Thanks for coming, folks — we really appreciate your support.

Common collocations
  • okay folks
  • right folks
  • thanks folks
  • listen up folks
  • alright folks
Synonyms
  • everyone

    neutral and more formal; works in speech and writing

  • guys

    very informal, similar to 'folks' but can sound gendered to some listeners

  • everybody

    neutral and widely used

Grammar Patterns

folks used as direct address

Usage Note

Used mainly as a vocative (direct address) in spoken English. Avoid in formal letters or speeches — use 'everyone' or 'ladies and gentlemen' instead.

Common Mistakes

Dear folks, I am writing to inform you...
Dear everyone, I am writing to inform you...
'folks' is too informal for letter openings.

3. a person's parents or family, used in an affectionate, informal way

3.nounB1
Definition

a person's parents or family, used in an affectionate, informal way

Example

Indra is spending the weekend with her folks in Taichung.

her folks: someone's parents

My folks never let me stay out past ten when I was a teenager.

Common collocations
  • my folks
  • her folks
  • his folks
  • the folks
  • your folks
Synonyms
  • parents

    neutral and more formal; the standard term

  • family

    broader; includes siblings and other relatives

Grammar Patterns

possessive + folks

Usage Note

Always 'folks' (plural) in this sense. 'My folk' is incorrect. Used to refer to parents, not usually to in-laws unless you are close to them.

Common Mistakes

I'm visiting my folk this holiday.
I'm visiting my folks this holiday.
'folks' is always plural when referring to parents.
My folks is retired.
My folks are retired.
plural subject needs a plural verb.

4. a style of music rooted in the life and traditions of everyday people from a spe

4.nounA2
Definition

a style of music rooted in the life and traditions of everyday people from a specific community or nation, typically with simple melodies and acoustic instruments

Example

Élise loves listening to Irish folk while she cooks dinner.

folk as uncountable noun: Irish folk

The café hosts a folk night every Tuesday with local musicians.

folk night: regular event featuring folk music

Common collocations
  • folk music
  • folk song
  • folk singer
  • folk band
  • folk festival
  • Irish folk
  • American folk

Grammar Patterns

folk as a music genre (no article)

Usage Note

Used as an uncountable noun: 'I like folk' = 'I like folk music'. Do not say 'a folk' to mean a piece of folk music — say 'a folk song' instead.

Common Mistakes

She sang a beautiful folk.
She sang a beautiful folk song.
'folk' is uncountable; use 'folk song' for individual pieces.

folk — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Folk, people, population, public, and community all refer to groups of humans but differ in tone and scope. People is the broadest, most neutral term — it can refer to any group ('the people in this room'). Folk is warmer and more personal, often suggesting shared traditions or a rural background ('country folk'). Population is statistical and impersonal, used for census data or urban planning ('the population of Tokyo'). Public emphasises the general body of citizens ('the public has a right to know'). Community focuses on people who share a location, identity, or interest ('the farming community'). In everyday speech, use folk for a warm, informal tone; use people for neutral statements; use population for numbers; use public for civic matters; and use community for a sense of belonging.

people ↗population ↗public ↗community ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • country folk
  • town folk
  • city folk
  • local folk
  • ordinary folk
  • folk music
  • folk art
  • folk tale
  • folk song
  • folk dance

Phrases

  • folk around here
  • my folks
  • your folks
  • the folks back home
  • folk of all ages

Prepositions

  • folk from [place]
  • folk in [area]

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Folk comes from Old English folc, meaning 'common people, the people, tribe, or crowd.' It is related to German Volk and Dutch volk, all from a Proto-Germanic root *fulka- meaning 'crowd' or 'army.' The sense of 'folk music' appeared in the late 19th century, and the use of 'folks' to mean 'parents' developed in American English in the 1800s.