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folky

folky

2 5.6
Friendly and informal in a simple, traditional way
  • adjective
  • /ˈfoʊki/
  • Informal
translation icon : folclórico
  • The festival featured a folky atmosphere with artisans displaying handmade crafts.
  • folky pop

Examples

  • There was this East Coast folky type of thing.

    Blog text (32)
  • It's all that folky kind of stuff.

    Blog text (4)
  • We wanted to keep it similar to 'Home,' but I told them I wanted more of a rockish feel, not too folky.

    Blog text (4)
  • His music has a warm, folky sound that makes you feel at home.

  • They enjoyed a folky gathering where local musicians played acoustic tunes.

Synonyms

rustic
vsfolky
40 5.2

Having a simple, rough style like the countryside

is more about friendly informal style than rough rural look
folksy
vsfolky
  • Informal
14 5.8

Being friendly and informal in a simple way like a village neighbor

is the same sense but feels slightly more casual in everyday speech
earthy
vsfolky
7 4.1

Practical and friendly in a simple, natural way

leans toward friendly informal traditional culture rather than plain earthiness
folkloric
vsfolky
2 6.0

Relating to traditional stories, songs, and customs of a community

is about friendly informal manner rather than formal cultural study
rootsy
vsfolky
  • Literature
1 7.5

Having a simple, traditional feel like old country or folk music

emphasizes friendly informal manner rather than musical authenticity
folkish
vsfolky
7.1

Showing a simple, traditional style like village music or crafts

is more about friendly informal manner rather than just traditional culture
folkie
vsfolky
7.4

Like traditional songs played with simple acoustic instruments

focuses on friendly informal manner rather than musical style
countryish
vsfolky
  • Informal
7.3

Like the countryside or country music in style and feeling

focuses on simple friendly manner rather than general countryside traits
small-townish
vsfolky
  • Informal
7.3

Feels friendly, quiet, and a little old-fashioned, as if people know each other

is about broader traditional cultural style rather than local small community vibe

Antonyms

pretentious
  • Offensive
74 7.3

Trying to seem more important or clever than you really are

65 5.1

Very formal and not relaxed in behavior

How Folky

rustic
40 5.2
folky
  • Informal
2 5.6
homespun
4 7.1
simple
1.0

Surface Forms

folky positive
folkier comparative
folkiest superlative

Morphology

folky = folk (transparent) = folk + y

Standard adjectival formation from 'folk' with the productive suffix '-y', meaning 'having qualities of folk/folk culture'.

Etymology

Folky comes from folk 'people' and the ending -y 'like', so it literally means 'like the people' or 'simple and friendly'. That's why a place or person called folky feels warm and informal.