townsfolk

plural noun

towns·​folk ˈtau̇nz-ˌfōk How to pronounce townsfolk (audio)

Examples of townsfolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After townsfolk saw the caravan Friday night of law enforcement vehicles — led by Finch — head to the boarding school, word spread through a group chat that includes residents and many former students. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024 However, when rumors abound regarding Pema’s pregnancy (which the gossipy townsfolk attribute to Dawa’s schoolteacher), news of Tasha abandoning his post reaches Pema, spurring on her journey across the rural landscape with Karma’s help. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 As creatures rise from their graves and the townsfolk panic, Norman has to learn what really happened centuries ago — and how to set things right. Danny Horn, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023 And when agriculture was the biggest, if not only, industry of the region, predicting the weather became something of a ritual viewed as essential to the health of crops and townsfolk. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2024 Groundhog meat eventually left the menu of Punxsutawney establishments as the townsfolk realized his worth. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2024 Gentrification has transformed this former backwater into a favorite artsy getaway for wealthy folks from the mainland—particularly lesbians—fostering more than a little resentment among the original townsfolk. Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 29 Dec. 2023 In other words, these are commoners: townsfolk, friars, merchants and scholars, among others. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2023 The townsfolk wandered into the streets with wide eyes, wondering what had happened, as power tended to fail only in big winter storms. Christopher Ketcham, Harper's Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'townsfolk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of townsfolk was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near townsfolk

Cite this Entry

“Townsfolk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/townsfolk. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

townsfolk

noun plural
towns·​folk ˈtau̇nz-ˌfōk How to pronounce townsfolk (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on townsfolk

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