folks

Everyday

1. (informal) Folks means people, especially ordinary people: «Folks round here are friendly». tree →
2. (informal) Your folks are your parents or family: «I'll ask my folks». tree →
3. (informal) Folks is a friendly word to talk to a group: «That's all, folks!» tree →
4. Folk (adjective) describes traditional music, stories and dances of ordinary people, as in folk songs and folk tales. tree →

In the lessons

Used in friendly speech, US and Canadian talk especially, in cartoons, by teachers and presenters addressing a group. Phrases: «my folks», «hi, folks», «old folks», «folk tale», «folk music».

Examples

• Hi, folks, welcome to the show! tree →
• I'll ask my folks if I can come to the sleepover. tree →
• That's all, folks! tree →
• Old folks love it when we sing at the care home. tree →
• The folks next door have a new puppy. tree →
• Okay, folks, line up quietly. tree →
• We read folk tales from Ireland and Ghana. tree →
• My grandma's folks came from Scotland. tree →
• I work for quite common folks,’ says his master. tree →

Note

Informal; in formal writing use «people» or «parents». «Folk» and «folks» both mean people; «folks» is more common in American English. The l is silent: say «fokes».