townsfolk

Everyday

Townsfolk are the people who live in a particular town, or town people in general as opposed to country people. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, fairy tales and history, "the townsfolk" are the ordinary people of a town who gather, gossip, celebrate or are afraid, as in "The Pied Piper of Hamelin". It sounds a little old-fashioned and storybook-like; in news, "townspeople" or "residents" are more common. Phrases: "the local townsfolk", "the townsfolk gathered".

Examples

• The townsfolk gathered in the square to hear the news. tree →
• The Pied Piper led the rats away, but the townsfolk did not pay him. tree →
• The townsfolk cheered when the knight returned. tree →
• All the townsfolk came to the summer fair. tree →
• The townsfolk were afraid of the dragon on the hill. tree →
• The mayor asked the townsfolk to help clean the river. tree →
• In the past, townsfolk and country folk lived very different lives. tree →
• And as he paced along, slowly and gravely, the townsfolk flocked to door and window, and many a blessing they called down upon his head. tree →

Note

Plural noun with a plural verb: "The townsfolk were happy." There is no "a townsfolk"; for one person say "a townsperson" or "someone from the town". Also "townspeople". "Folk" means people.