folk
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.people in general, or a specific group of people.
n.people in general or a specific collective group. Often used in the plural 'folks' as a friendly or informal address.
Simple“The local folks are very friendly to tourists who visit the village.”
In context“The town meeting was packed with local folks eager to voice their concerns about the proposed highway expansion.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.your family, especially your parents.
n.one's relatives, specifically one's parents. Almost exclusively used in the plural form.
Simple“I am going back home this weekend to visit my folks.”
In context“After living abroad for a decade, he found it difficult to adjust to the quiet lifestyle of his folks back in the countryside.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.traditional music from a particular country or region.
n.traditional music originating among the common people of a nation or region, typically transmitted orally.
Simple“The festival features a mix of modern rock and traditional folk.”
In context“The singer-songwriter drew heavy inspiration from Appalachian folk, blending acoustic guitar with haunting, traditional melodies.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.relating to the traditional culture, art, or stories of ordinary people.
adj.pertaining to the traditional beliefs, customs, and culture of the common people.
Simple“She loves collecting folk art from the different countries she visits.”
In context“The museum's collection of folk costumes provides a fascinating glimpse into the regional identities of the nineteenth century.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
adj.relating to buildings made with local materials and traditional styles.
adj.relating to traditional architecture using local materials and styles, often without a professional architect.
Simple“The village is famous for its folk architecture and stone cottages.”
In context“The preservation society aims to protect examples of folk architecture that demonstrate how early settlers adapted to the harsh climate.”
Synonyms
From Middle English folk, from Old English folc, from Proto-West Germanic folk, from Proto-Germanic fulką, possibly from Proto-Indo-European pl̥h₁-gós, from pleh₁- (“to fill”). Cognate with German Volk, Dutch volk, Swedish folk and Danish folk. Doublet of volk.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.