folk dance

noun

1. a dance that originated among, and has been transmitted through, the common people. Compare court dance.
2. a piece of music for such a dance.

folk dance

noun

1. any of various traditional rustic dances often originating from festivals or rituals
2. a piece of music composed for such a dance

verb

1. to perform a folk dance

Derived Forms

• folk dancing, noun

Other Words From

• folk dancer noun
• folk dancing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of folk dance¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

That impulse led to Akin’s second feature, 2019 “And Then We Danced,” a much-lauded gay romance set in the world of traditional Georgian folk dance.

From Los Angeles Times

The dynamic Mohammed Smahneh, for one, moves fluidly between styles, his dancing a through line that links dabke, a traditional Palestinian folk dance, and breaking.

From New York Times

The art form of dabke, which means “stamping of the feet” in Arabic, is a popular folk dance with roots in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

From Seattle Times

Dabke, a traditional folk dance, has long been a symbol of Palestinian expression, identity and resistance.

From Seattle Times

Flor de Piña, a folk dance indigenous to San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, presented around 15 dancers, each wearing hand-embroidered regalia representing different communities.

From Los Angeles Times