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Definition of folktale

folktale

/ˈfoʊkˌteɪl/
folk · tale
Plural:folktales
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folktale Lexical Profile

folktale Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A traditional story originating among the common people of a region or culture and typically passed down orally from generation to generation.

Example

"The children gathered around the campfire to listen to an old folktale about a clever fox."

2

A widely circulated but unverified or fanciful rumor, belief, or story.

Example

"The idea that swallowing chewing gum makes it stay in your stomach for seven years is just a childhood folktale."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

folksinging
folksong
folksy
folktale
folkways
folky
follicle

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century as a compound of the Old English roots 'folc' (people) and 'talu' (narrative or speech), modeled after the German word 'Volksmärchen'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Folktale. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/folktale
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