folksy

[ fohk-see ]

adjective

folksier, folksiest.

1. friendly or neighborly; sociable.
2. very informal; familiar; unceremonious:

   The politician affected a folksy style.

3. belonging to the common people, especially in regard to a conscious use of mannerisms, speech patterns, attitudes, etc.:

   folksy humor.

folksy

/ ˈfəʊksɪ /

adjective

1. of or like ordinary people; sometimes used derogatorily to describe affected simplicity
2. informal.
   friendly; affable
3. of or relating to folk art

Derived Forms

• ˈfolksiness, noun

Other Word Forms

• folksi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of folksy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; folks + -y ¹,

Example Sentences

A humorist and actor, his folksy delivery artfully deflated politicians and pomposities.

From Los Angeles Times

The "hobbling" scene—she uses a sledgehammer to break Paul’s ankles—elevated her to canonical b***h status: a cunning, brutal and mercurial harridan who hides her malice behind a folksy façade.

From Salon

“My name is Jimmy Carter, and I’m running for president,” the initially little-known candidate began each stump speech, always with a folksy grin.

From Los Angeles Times

Famously promising that he would always tell the truth if he won, Carter defeated Ford in a close election in which the Democrat eschewed ideology and instead cultivated an anodyne image as a folksy populist.

From Salon

Despite devoting a significant part of his book to dissecting communications challenges and mistakes he feels he made, his way of communicating is equal parts folksy and conceptually sophisticated.

From Salon

Related Words

• down-to-earth
• homey
• low-key
• rustic
• unpretentious