English Meaning & Definitions
Traditional music originating among the common people of a nation or region, typically passed down orally through generations and characterized by simple, memorable melodies and acoustic instrumentation.
- “She strummed her acoustic guitar and sang a traditional Celtic folk music ballad.”
- “The festival celebrates the rich history of Appalachian folk music with live fiddle and banjo performances.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “folk music”.
The term combines 'folk' (derived from Old English 'folc', meaning people, nation, or tribe) and 'music' (from the Greek 'mousike', via Old French). 'Folk music' as a descriptor emerged in the 19th century—popularized by scholars like Johann Gottfried von Herder—to describe the traditional, unwritten songs and melodies passed down orally among the common people of a culture.
Think of 'folk' as 'folks' (ordinary people) and 'music' as their shared songs—music made by the folks, for the folks.
Frequently Asked Questions About “folk music”
1. What is the meaning of “folk music” in English?
In English, folk music (noun) is defined as: “Traditional music originating among the common people of a nation or region, typically passed down orally through generations and characterized by simple, memorable melodies and acoustic instrumentation.”.
2. How do you use “folk music” in a sentence?
“She strummed her acoustic guitar and sang a traditional Celtic folk music ballad.”
3. What are English synonyms of “folk music”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “folk music”?
The term combines 'folk' (derived from Old English 'folc', meaning people, nation, or tribe) and 'music' (from the Greek 'mousike', via Old French). 'Folk music' as a descriptor emerged in the 19th century—popularized by scholars like Johann Gottfried von Herder—to describe the traditional, unwritten songs and melodies passed down orally among the common people of a culture.
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