folk song

noun

: a traditional or composed song typically characterized by stanzaic form, refrain, and simplicity of melody

Examples of folk song in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Vietnamese variety show will feature musical performances, traditional folk songs, and sketch comedy by popular singers including Hồng Ngọc and Mạnh Quỳnh. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 9 Feb. 2024 And Kahan — a gifted songwriter whose introspective folk songs contain a pop sensibility, so that his top 40-ready anthems still contain a sense of time and place — has served as the perfect emblem of that place. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2024 Some folk songs literally refer to the sun as an egg. Hazlitt, 14 Feb. 2024 In fact, each of the quartet’s two albums — released in 2021 and 2019 — feature classical works and arrangements of folk songs from Scotland. Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2024 Ronstadt had a decades-long career singing everything from rock and country music to Mexican folk songs and opera, with everyone from her early band the Stone Poneys to her Trio sisters Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Vulture, 10 Jan. 2024 Acoustic sections that set the mood transition into breathy folk songs akin to Marissa Nadler or Emma Ruth Rundle. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 18 Dec. 2023 The program embraces both classic and contemporary music and touches on work songs, folk songs, blues, traditional synagogue music, gospel music, funk, hip-hop and symphonic music, and a slew of other genres. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 8 Jan. 2024 One paper-cut depicts a line from a northern Shaanxi folk song about parting lovers. Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'folk song.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of folk song was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near folk song

Cite this Entry

“Folk song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folk%20song. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

folk song

noun
: a traditional or composed song typically having stanzas, a refrain, and a simple melody

More from Merriam-Webster on folk song

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