noun Uncommon

Charleston

CHAHRLS-tuhn

Charleston (noun) means a lively, energetic dance from the 1920s, danced with fast kicks and swinging arms, named after the city in South Carolina. Example: “The flapper danced the Charleston with wild enthusiasm.”

noun

A lively, energetic dance from the 1920s, danced with fast kicks and swinging arms, named after the city in South Carolina.

"The flapper danced the Charleston with wild enthusiasm."

verb

To dance the Charleston.

"They charlestoned across the ballroom floor to the jazz band."

name

The name of several cities in the United States, most notably the historic port city in South Carolina and the capital of West Virginia.

"Charleston, South Carolina is famous for its colonial architecture."

How to use Charleston

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the 1920s jazz-age dance, or one of several American cities of that name.

Word forms

charlestoned past tense, Charlestons plural, charlestons singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “Charleston” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The flapper danced the _____ with wild enthusiasm.

Etymology

The dance and several US cities are named after Charleston, South Carolina, itself named for King Charles II of England.

Rhymes for Charleston

Weston Heston Reston Preston

See all rhymes for Charleston →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Charleston” mean?

The word “Charleston” means a lively, energetic dance from the 1920s, danced with fast kicks and swinging arms, named after the city in South Carolina. In plain terms, either the 1920s jazz-age dance, or one of several American cities of that name.

How do you pronounce “Charleston”?

“Charleston” is pronounced CHAHRLS-tuhn (/ˈtʃɑɹlstən/ in IPA).

How do you use “Charleston” in a sentence?

Here is “Charleston” used in a sentence: “The flapper danced the Charleston with wild enthusiasm.”

What part of speech is “Charleston”?

Depending on how it is used, “Charleston” can be a noun, a verb and a name.

Is “Charleston” a common word?

“Charleston” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Charleston” have?

“Charleston” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lively, energetic dance from the 1920s, danced with fast kicks and swinging arms, named after the city in South Carolina.

What is the difference between the Charleston dance and the city of Charleston?

The Charleston dance, a lively 1920s dance with fast kicks and swinging arms, is named after the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The word Charleston can refer either to the dance or to the city itself, depending on context.

Can Charleston be used as a verb?

Yes. As a verb, 'to Charleston' means to perform the Charleston dance.

Which US cities are named Charleston?

Several US cities share the name Charleston, most notably the historic port city in South Carolina and the capital of West Virginia.