1
: traditional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people
The coyote appears in much of Native American folklore.
Paul Bunyan is a figure from folklore.
2
: a branch of knowledge that deals with folklore
a specialist in folklore
3
: an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated
the folklore about the health risks of computers
Examples of folklore in a Sentence
The coyote appears in a great deal of Native American folklore.
the rich folklore of Louisiana
He can't tell the difference between fact and folklore.
Recent Examples on the Web
His designs explore a mixture of Filipino and Western dark folklore, blending elements like bat wings and vampire aesthetics with streetwear and menswear.
—
Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The films draw heavily from characters and storylines in The Investiture of the Gods, a 16th-century Chinese novel that compiles a series of folklore, myths, and legends.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
The small town is also a hub for Albanian folklore, with traditional music performances and crafts on display.
—Food Drink Life, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025
All concluded that the original investigators relied on outdated theories and folklore to justify the determination of arson.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folklore
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Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
The films draw heavily from characters and storylines in The Investiture of the Gods, a 16th-century Chinese novel that compiles a series of folklore, myths, and legends.
—Sharareh Drury, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025
The small town is also a hub for Albanian folklore, with traditional music performances and crafts on display.
—Food Drink Life, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025
All concluded that the original investigators relied on outdated theories and folklore to justify the determination of arson.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for folklore
Cite this Entry
“Folklore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folklore. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
folklore
noun
folk·lore
ˈfōk-ˌlō(ə)r 
-ˌlȯ(ə)r
: customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings of a people handed down from generation to generation
folkloric
adjective
-ˌlȯr-ik
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