folk rock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, technical (music)
Quick answer
What does “folk rock” mean?
A music genre combining elements of folk music and rock music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A music genre combining elements of folk music and rock music.
A style of popular music that emerged in the mid-1960s, characterized by the use of acoustic and electric instruments, vocal harmonies, and lyrics often dealing with social or personal themes, rooted in traditional folk storytelling but delivered with rock instrumentation and energy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. Spelling remains the same.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with the 1960s and 1970s, artists like Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Fairport Convention, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. May connote a certain earnestness or political awareness.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties when discussing music history or genres. Slightly more frequent in American English due to the genre's strong roots in the US folk revival.
Grammar
How to Use “folk rock” in a Sentence
play [folk rock]a blend of [folk rock]the genre of [folk rock]pioneer of [folk rock]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “folk rock” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Their folk-rock sound defined the era.
- It was a seminal folk-rock album.
American English
- She's a legendary folk-rock singer.
- The festival had a strong folk-rock lineup.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the music industry for marketing, categorization, and historical analysis (e.g., 'The label specializes in reissuing classic folk rock.').
Academic
Used in musicology, cultural studies, and history departments when analyzing post-war popular music trends and social movements.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation about music tastes, music history, or describing a band's style (e.g., 'I'm really into 60s folk rock.').
Technical
A precise genre classification in music criticism, journalism, streaming service algorithms, and record store categorization.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “folk rock”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “folk rock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “folk rock”
- Misspelling as 'folkrock' (should be two words or hyphenated).
- Using it to describe any acoustic music, rather than the specific hybrid genre.
- Confusing it with 'country rock', which has different roots.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words ('folk rock'). The hyphenated form ('folk-rock') is also acceptable, especially when used attributively (e.g., 'folk-rock band'). The one-word form is incorrect.
Folk rock originates from the Anglo-American folk revival and singer-songwriter tradition, often with social/political lyrics. Country rock blends rock with country and western music, featuring elements like pedal steel guitar and themes associated with rural American life.
The genre emerged and peaked in popularity in the mid-to-late 1960s, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom, as part of the broader counterculture movement.
Yes. While the classic era was the 60s/70s, the term is still used to describe contemporary artists who blend folk songwriting and acoustic sensibilities with rock band arrangements, such as The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons.
A music genre combining elements of folk music and rock music.
Folk rock is usually informal, technical (music) in register.
Folk rock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfəʊk ˌrɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfoʊk ˌrɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of FOLK telling stories with acoustic guitars, and ROCK with electric energy. FOLK ROCK is the story meeting the amplifier.
Conceptual Metaphor
MUSIC GENRES ARE HYBRIDS / FUSIONS (e.g., 'folk rock' is conceptualized as a blend or offspring of two parent genres).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of folk rock?