noun Uncommon

folklore

FOHK-law

Folklore (noun) means the traditional stories, beliefs, customs, and superstitions of a particular culture or community, passed down informally. Example: “The village's folklore included tales of a ghost that haunted the old mill.”

noun

The traditional stories, beliefs, customs, and superstitions of a particular culture or community, passed down informally.

"The village's folklore included tales of a ghost that haunted the old mill."

"Local folklore claims the lake is bottomless."

Informally, widely known ideas or claims within a field that are believed but never formally documented.

"It's programming folklore that rebooting fixes most problems."

How to use folklore

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTraditional stories and beliefs passed down within a culture, or informally, "things everyone just knows" in a field.

Common pairings

local folklore folklore and legend according to folklore

Word forms

folklores plural

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Fill the gap

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The village's _____ included tales of a ghost that haunted the old mill.

Etymology

Coined in 1846 by British writer William Thoms, joining "folk" and "lore" to replace the older phrase "popular antiquities."

· First attested 1846

Class of 1846 folklore joined the language around 1846.

psychiatry Smithsonian vector

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Rhymes for folklore

ore bore tore yore lore more core fore sore gore pore amore

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Frequently asked questions

What does “folklore” mean?

The word “folklore” means the traditional stories, beliefs, customs, and superstitions of a particular culture or community, passed down informally. In plain terms, traditional stories and beliefs passed down within a culture, or informally, "things everyone just knows" in a field.

How do you pronounce “folklore”?

“Folklore” is pronounced FOHK-law (/ˈfoʊk.lɔːɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “folklore” in a sentence?

Here is “folklore” used in a sentence: “The village's folklore included tales of a ghost that haunted the old mill.”

What part of speech is “folklore”?

“Folklore” is a noun.

Where does the word “folklore” come from?

The word “folklore” dates back to around 1846. Coined in 1846 by British writer William Thoms, joining "folk" and "lore" to replace the older phrase "popular antiquities.".

Is “folklore” a common word?

“Folklore” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “folklore” have?

“Folklore” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the traditional stories, beliefs, customs, and superstitions of a particular culture or community, passed down informally.