# folk

/ˈfoʊk/ (US) · /fˈəʊk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/folk
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. people in general

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

people in general, or a specific group of people.

For teachers: people in general or a specific collective group. Often used in the plural 'folks' as a friendly or informal address.

- The local folks are very friendly to tourists who visit the village.
- The town meeting was packed with local folks eager to voice their concerns about the proposed highway expansion.

### 2. family members

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

your family, especially your parents.

For teachers: one's relatives, specifically one's parents. Almost exclusively used in the plural form.

- I am going back home this weekend to visit my folks.
- After living abroad for a decade, he found it difficult to adjust to the quiet lifestyle of his folks back in the countryside.

### 3. folk music

noun · CEFR B1

traditional music from a particular country or region.

For teachers: traditional music originating among the common people of a nation or region, typically transmitted orally.

- The festival features a mix of modern rock and traditional folk.
- The singer-songwriter drew heavy inspiration from Appalachian folk, blending acoustic guitar with haunting, traditional melodies.

### 4. traditional or regional

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to the traditional culture, art, or stories of ordinary people.

For teachers: pertaining to the traditional beliefs, customs, and culture of the common people.

- She loves collecting folk art from the different countries she visits.
- The museum's collection of folk costumes provides a fascinating glimpse into the regional identities of the nineteenth century.

### 5. vernacular architecture

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

relating to buildings made with local materials and traditional styles.

For teachers: relating to traditional architecture using local materials and styles, often without a professional architect.

- The village is famous for its folk architecture and stone cottages.
- The preservation society aims to protect examples of folk architecture that demonstrate how early settlers adapted to the harsh climate.

## Examples

- The local folk are very friendly to visitors.
- I am heading back to my hometown this weekend to visit my folks.
- While the festival celebrates traditional folk music, it also attracts young folk who are interested in modern acoustic interpretations of those classic melodies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.