folklore

noun

folk·​lore ˈfōk-ˌlȯr How to pronounce folklore (audio)
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
folkloric adjective
folklorish adjective
folklorist noun
folkloristic adjective

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Like its predecessor, the game draws from elements of African folklore and spiritual beliefs. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 5 Nov. 2024 While casting a spell through witches, fantasy and Italian folklore, the project is said to touch on universal themes of grief, community, love and family. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024 Our ancestors are stereotyped by the West, who turned our culture into folklore. Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2024 The exhibition presents Castro’s creative practice as an exploration of themes as broad as cultural identity, mortality, the relationship humans have with animals and his reinterpretation of folklore and motifs from around the world. Kate Matthams, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for folklore 

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of folklore was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near folklore

Cite this Entry

“Folklore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folklore. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

folklore

noun
folk·​lore ˈfōk-ˌlō(ə)r How to pronounce folklore (audio)
-ˌlȯ(ə)r
: customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings of a people handed down from generation to generation
folkloric
-ˌlȯr-ik
adjective
folklorist
-ˌlōr-əst How to pronounce folklore (audio)
-ˌlȯr-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on folklore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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