ENGLISH
REFERENCE

polka

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpoʊkɑ// UK //pˈɒlkɐ// pol·ka

n. a fast and lively dance for couples that comes from Central Europe. It is also the name for the upbeat music that goes with the dance.

n. a lively couple dance in duple time of Bohemian origin, or the musical composition that accompanies it. Characterised by a quick, rhythmic step-hop pattern.


SIMPLE

The band played a fast polka and everyone started dancing.

CONTEXTUAL

At the traditional wedding, the older guests were the first to hit the floor when the band began a polka.

COMPLEX

While the polka originated as a folk dance in the mid-19th century, it rapidly achieved international popularity, influencing ballroom culture across Europe and the Americas.

Origin

Via French and German from Czech polka, variant of půlka (“half”) as in "half-step"; see půl (“half”).

Usage

Often used as a modifier in the phrase 'polka dot' to describe a pattern of small circles.

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