Definitions

folk music

NOUN

traditional songs and music

Synonyms

STRONGEST

country music

WEAK

balladry ethnic music ethnomusicology folk folk ballads folk songs regional music

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The song fuses Tamil folk music, Carnatic traditions, Western classical fugue and polka, with shifting tempos and finger snaps linking its contrasting sections.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

It’s not just about folk music; it’s about the artists — the people, really — who make it.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026

Mustafa — the richly baritoned Toronto singer-songwriter whose 2024 LP “Dunya” drew wide praise — has become a significant figure straddling global folk music and activism.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

The line-up spans rock, country and folk music across three main stages.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2025

The informal touches; the handshaking; the folk music; the insistence upon union—all these changes are aimed at serving Catholics who no longer live in a Catholic world.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez