Folks vs. People: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
'Folks' typically refers to a group of people in a familiar, colloquial sense, while 'people' is a more general term for any group of individuals.
Key Differences
Folks often conveys a sense of warmth and familiarity, commonly used to address a group in a casual, friendly manner. People, in contrast, is a more formal and general term, used to refer to any group of humans, regardless of their relationship or familiarity.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
The term 'folks' can imply a certain cultural or communal identity, often used to signify a sense of belonging or commonality within a group. 'People', however, is more neutral, describing any collection of individuals without necessarily implying a shared identity or closeness.
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Nov 24, 2023
Folks is frequently used in informal speech and writing, reflecting a conversational tone. People is more versatile, fitting both formal and informal contexts, and is the standard choice in more official or academic writing.
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Nov 24, 2023
In terms of inclusivity, 'folks' can be seen as a more inclusive and gender-neutral way to address a group, compared to terms like 'guys' or 'ladies and gentlemen'. 'People' is inherently inclusive and broadly applicable to all human beings.
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Nov 24, 2023
While 'folks' often carries a sense of friendliness and informality, 'people' can be used to refer to populations, demographics, or groups in a more impersonal, statistical sense.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage Context
Casual conversations, informal writing.
Both formal and informal contexts.
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Implication
Implies familiarity or communal identity.
More general, without specific implications.
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Formality
Less formal, more colloquial.
Appropriate for formal and academic use.
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Nov 24, 2023
Inclusivity
Often used as a gender-neutral term.
Broadly inclusive of all humans.
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Nov 24, 2023
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Folks and People Definitions
Folks
A term denoting people of a specific group or community.
The local folks are very welcoming to visitors.
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Nov 24, 2023
People
A group of individuals regarded collectively.
A group of people gathered to protest.
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Nov 24, 2023
Folks
An informal way to refer to people in general.
Folks around here are known for their hospitality.
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Nov 24, 2023
People
A demographic or population segment.
The survey targeted people aged 30 to 40.
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Nov 24, 2023
Folks
Refers to one's parents or family in an informal context.
I'm visiting my folks this weekend.
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Nov 24, 2023
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People
Humans considered as a group or in indefinite numbers. Often treated as a plural of person, alone and in compounds
People were dancing in the street. I met all sorts of people. This book is not intended for laypeople.
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Oct 19, 2023
Folks
Used to address a group in a friendly manner.
Folks, please gather around for the announcement.
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Nov 24, 2023
People
The mass of ordinary persons; the populace. Used with the
"those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes" (Thomas Jefferson).
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Oct 19, 2023
Folks
The common people of a society or region considered as the representatives of a traditional way of life and especially as the originators or carriers of the customs, beliefs, and arts that make up a distinctive culture
A leader who came from the folk.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
A body of persons living in the same country under one national government; a nationality.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
The citizens of a political unit, such as a nation or state; the electorate. Used with the.
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Oct 19, 2023
Folks
Folks(Informal) People in general
Folks around here are very friendly.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
Pl. peo·ples A body of persons sharing a common religion, culture, or language
The peoples of central Asia.
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People
Persons with regard to their residence, class, profession, or group
City people.
Farming people.
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People
Persons subordinate to or loyal to a ruler, superior, or employer
The manager would like to introduce you to our people in the regional office.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
A person's family, relatives, or ancestors
Where are your people from?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Folks
Of, occurring in, or originating among the common people
Folk culture.
A folk hero.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
(Informal) Animals or other beings distinct from humans
Rabbits and squirrels are the furry little people of the woods.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
To be present in or on (a place)
"The stores ... are peopled by serious shoppers" (Perri Klass).
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Oct 19, 2023
Folks
A colloquial term for a group of people.
Good evening, folks! Welcome to our café.
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Nov 24, 2023
People
Used as plural of person; a body of human beings considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons.
There were so many people at the restaurant last night.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
(countable) Persons forming or belonging to a particular group, such as a nation, class, ethnic group, country, family, etc.
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People
A group of persons regarded as being employees, followers, companions or subjects of a ruler.
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People
A person's ancestors, relatives or family.
My people lived through the Black Plague and the Thirty Years War.
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People
The mass of a community as distinguished from a special class (elite); the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; the citizens.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
(transitive) To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
The body of persons who compose a community, tribe, nation, or race; an aggregate of individuals forming a whole; a community; a nation.
Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
The ants are a people not strong.
Before many peoples, and nations, and tongues.
Earth's monarchs are her peoples.
A government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
Persons, generally; an indefinite number of men and women; folks; population, or part of population; as, country people; - sometimes used as an indefinite subject or verb, like on in French, and man in German; as, people in adversity.
People were tempted to lend by great premiums.
People have lived twenty-four days upon nothing but water.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
The mass of community as distinguished from a special class; the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the common crowd; as, nobles and people.
And strive to gain his pardon from the people.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
One's ancestors or family; kindred; relations; as, my people were English.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people; to populate.
As the gay motes that people the sunbeams.
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Oct 19, 2023
People
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively;
Old people
There were at least 200 people in the audience
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Oct 19, 2023
People
The common people generally;
Separate the warriors from the mass
Power to the people
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Oct 19, 2023
People
Members of a family line;
His people have been farmers for generations
Are your people still alive?
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Oct 19, 2023
People
Fill with people or supply with inhabitants;
People a room
The government wanted to populate the remote area of the country
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People
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
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Oct 19, 2023
People
Human beings collectively.
People all over the world celebrated the event.
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Nov 24, 2023
People
The citizens of a specific place.
The people of this town are proud of their heritage.
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People
Members of a particular group or community.
Young people today are very tech-savvy.
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Nov 24, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How is 'people' defined?
A term referring to human beings collectively or in groups.
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Nov 24, 2023
What does 'folks' mean?
It's an informal term for a group of people, often implying familiarity.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Can 'folks' be used in formal writing?
It's generally reserved for informal contexts.
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Nov 24, 2023
Is 'people' suitable for all types of communication?
Yes, it's versatile and appropriate in both formal and informal settings.
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Nov 24, 2023
Are 'people' and 'folks' interchangeable?
In many informal contexts, yes, but not in formal or official use.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Do 'folks' imply a certain age group?
No, it's age-neutral and can refer to any group.
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Nov 24, 2023
Can 'people' refer to a specific community?
Yes, it can denote a particular group or community.
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Nov 24, 2023
Is 'folks' a respectful term?
Yes, when used appropriately in a friendly or casual context.
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Nov 24, 2023
Does 'folks' have regional variations?
Yes, its usage can vary in different English-speaking regions.
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Nov 24, 2023
Can 'folks' be used in academic writing?
Generally, it's avoided in favor of more formal terms.
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Nov 24, 2023
What's the origin of 'folks'?
It comes from the Old English 'folc', meaning people or tribe.
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Nov 24, 2023
Can 'people' be used to address a crowd?
Yes, it's a common way to address groups formally.
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Nov 24, 2023
How do 'people' and 'population' differ?
'People' refers to a group of individuals, while 'population' is more statistical.
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Nov 24, 2023
Are there synonyms for 'people'?
Yes, like individuals, persons, humans, depending on context.
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Nov 24, 2023
How does 'people' differ in official documents?
It's used to refer to citizens, inhabitants, or populations.
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Nov 24, 2023
What's the plural form of 'people'?
'People' is already plural; the singular is 'person'.
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Nov 24, 2023
Can 'folks' be used in business settings?
It depends on the level of informality and company culture.
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Nov 24, 2023
Is 'folks' ever used to refer to family?
Yes, it can informally refer to one's parents or family.
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Nov 24, 2023
Does 'folks' have any cultural connotations?
It can imply a down-to-earth, communal sense in certain contexts.
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Nov 24, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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