folklore

noun

folk·​lore ˈfōk-ˌlȯr 

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

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ik 

adjective

folklorish

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ish 

adjective

folklorist

ˈfōk-ˌlȯr-ist 

noun

folkloristic

ˌfōk-ˌlȯr-ˈi-stik 

adjective

Synonyms

• legend
• legendry
• lore
• myth
• mythology
• mythos
• tradition

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

This only adds to the sense of mystery surrounding the island, which is rich in local folklore. —Oscar Holland, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025

In the Amazon’s Alto Juruá region, the fer-de-lance holds a special place in local folklore—one of fear and respect. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

The January full moon is traditionally called the Wolf Moon, a name rooted in folklore. —John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

But in modern America, the midnight kiss tradition has origins in English and German folklore. —Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

-ˌlȯr-ik

adjective

folklorist

-ˌlōr-əst 

-ˌlȯr-

noun