noun
Uncommon
polka
POL-kuh
Polka (noun) means a lively couple dance in duple time that originated in Bohemia, or the brisk music written for it. Example: “The band struck up a polka and the whole hall started dancing.”
noun
1
A lively couple dance in duple time that originated in Bohemia, or the brisk music written for it.
"The band struck up a polka and the whole hall started dancing."
"Grandpa still knows how to polka."
How to use polka
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fast, bouncy folk dance (and its music) from Central Europe, still popular at weddings and festivals.
Common pairings
dance a polka
polka band
polka dot
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Word forms
- Plural
- polkas
- Third person singular
- polkas
- Past tense
- polkaed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The band struck up a _____ and the whole hall started dancing.
Etymology
From Czech polka, likely a shortening of půlka ("half-step"), referring to the dance's quick half-steps; possibly reinforced by the word for a Polish woman.
Frequently asked questions
What does “polka” mean?
The word “polka” means a lively couple dance in duple time that originated in Bohemia, or the brisk music written for it. In plain terms, a fast, bouncy folk dance (and its music) from Central Europe, still popular at weddings and festivals.
How do you pronounce “polka”?
“Polka” is pronounced POL-kuh (/ˈpoʊ(l)kə/ in IPA).
How do you use “polka” in a sentence?
Here is “polka” used in a sentence: “The band struck up a polka and the whole hall started dancing.”
What part of speech is “polka”?
“Polka” is a noun.
Where does the word “polka” come from?
The word “polka” comes from Polish. From Czech polka, likely a shortening of půlka ("half-step"), referring to the dance's quick half-steps; possibly reinforced by the word for a Polish woman.
Is “polka” a common word?
“Polka” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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