noun

folks

FOHKS/fˈoʊks/

One's parents or family members.

She visits her folks every Sunday after lunch.

Family members warmly greet a returning adult relative at a doorway, open arms and familiar smiles conveying one's folks; small doorframe fragment only.

Etymology

folkOld Englishpeople, nation, multitude

Folk was already a collective word for people, but its plural came to mean persons rather than only separate peoples or nations. In familiar use, folks also narrowed to the people of one's family.

In context

Luke Ford Livestreams256:48

… Rust Belt the working class folks Union folks uh people in rural counties he's tried to bring that Outsider brand …

Live 2022 Election Coverage (11-9-22)

More examples

My folks are coming to stay next week.
He called his folks to share the news.
We spent the holiday with her folks.

Forms

folks

Similar words

parents: Specifically names the mother and father rather than wider family.
family: Broader and less conversational; includes relatives beyond parents.