folktale
gb/fˈoʊktˌeɪl/ us/fˈoʊktˌeɪl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
traditional story from folk culture
a traditional story from a culture, usually told for many years
Usage pattern:
a folktale (from [place]/about [topic])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse folktale with fairy tale; a folktale is broader and may have no fairies or princes.
Synonyms
folk story (A very close synonym; slightly more informal and common in speech.)
|
traditional tale (More general; does not specifically emphasize folk culture.)
Antonyms
news report (Aims to present verified facts rather than traditional storytelling.)
Collocations
a traditional folktale
|an old folktale
|a well-known folktale
|a local folktale
|a folktale from Japan
|a folktale about animals
|a folktale character
|a folktale hero
|tell a folktale
|collect folktales
Themes
culture
|literature
|storytelling
Examples
- My grandmother used to tell us a folktale about a clever rabbit who outsmarted a lion.
- The museum exhibit explains how each folktale reflects the values of the community that told it.
- The teacher asked students to compare a folktale from their own culture with one from another country.
Learner examples
- We read a folktale in class.
- This folktale comes from Kenya.
Noun
C1
abstract
2
the genre of folk stories
this kind of traditional story, as a type of literature
Usage pattern:
folktale as a genre/form
Common mistake:
In this meaning, folktale refers to the category, not one specific story.
Synonyms
folklore (Broader; includes customs and beliefs as well as stories.)
Antonyms
nonfiction (Writing that presents real events and information rather than traditional narrative forms.)
Collocations
folktale tradition
|folktale themes
|folktale motifs
|folktale structure
|folktale studies
|folktale scholarship
|folktale narrative
|folktale patterns
Themes
culture
|literature
|storytelling
|education
Examples
- In his research, he focuses on folktale as a genre rather than on individual stories.
- Folktale often uses repeated patterns to help listeners remember the story.
- The course covers myth, legend, and folktale across different cultures.
Learner examples
- Folktale is one kind of traditional story.
Noun
B2
entity
3
modern retelling of a folk story
a traditional story written again in a new version
Usage pattern:
a folktale retold by [someone]
Common mistake:
A folktale can be written down; it is not only spoken, even if it started as an oral story.
Synonyms
retelling (General term; does not specify a story from folk tradition.)
|
adaptation (Often implies changes in form or details for a new audience.)
Antonyms
original work (A newly invented story rather than one based on tradition.)
Collocations
a retold folktale
|a folktale collection
|a folktale anthology
|a folktale adaptation
|a beautifully illustrated folktale
|publish folktales
|a folktale retold by an author
Themes
literature
|publishing
|education
|storytelling
Examples
- The book is a folktale retold in simple language for young readers.
- She published a folktale collection with notes on where each story was recorded.
- The film is based on a folktale but changes the ending.
Learner examples
- This is a folktale retold for children.
Grammar
Dictionary form
folktale
IPA
GB/fˈoʊktˌeɪl/
US/fˈoʊktˌeɪl/
Syllables & stress
folk - tale (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (folk)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: folktale
- Plural: folktales
Word family
Forms
folktales
noun
Related words
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.