folkways

[ fohk-weyz ]

plural noun

, Sociology.

1. the ways of living, thinking, and acting in a human group, built up without conscious design but serving as compelling guides of conduct.

folkways

/ ˈfəʊkˌweɪz /

plural noun

1. sociol traditional and customary ways of living

Word History and Origins

Origin of folkways¹

folk + ways; term introduced in a book of the same title (1907) by W. G. Sumner

Example Sentences

To them, it is possible to embrace that flag as a statement about Southern folkways beyond the ugly racial part.

From The Daily Beast

Todd, who wears a goatee, is also deeply knowledgeable about politics and Washington folkways.

From The Daily Beast

Van Ronk described how when visiting Asch he would put on his “Folkways suit,” a filthy jacket that smelled of acetone.

From The Daily Beast

It includes accommodation to the folkways, the mores, the conventions, and the social ritual (Sittlichkeit).

From Project Gutenberg

Custom and the folkways, like habit in the individual, may be regarded as a mere residuum of past practices.

From Project Gutenberg

For practical purposes morals mean customs, folkways, established collective habits.

From Project Gutenberg

I therefore turned aside to write a treatise on the "Folkways," which I now offer.

From Project Gutenberg

Chapter II shows the bearing of the folkways on human interests, and the way in which they act or are acted on.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• civilization
• development
• folklore
• habit
• knowledge
• lifestyle
• society
• way of life