chukka

1 of 3

noun (1)

chuk·​ka ˈchə-kə 

plural chukkas

: a usually ankle-high leather boot with two or three pairs of eyelets or a buckle and strap

… the store stocks golf shoes, hiking chukkas, hockey skates and shoes for such sports as javelin throwing, wrestling and volleyball …

—Joseph Pereira

… our name wouldn't be Timberland if our fall offering didn't include a handsewn chukka boot for rugged wear, rain or shine.

—advertisement in Outside

chukka

2 of 3

noun (2)

chuk·​ka ˈchə-kə 

less common spelling of chukker

: a playing period of a polo game

… the price of a horse that can run, stop and turn, full-out, for the unmitigated seven-and-one-half minutes of a high-goal chukker begins at $15,000.

—Wendy Insinger

At the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington, some 15 miles west of Palm Beach, for example, one can watch a few chukkers of polo …

—Nick Ravo

Both teams started evenly exchanging goals in the first chukka.

—Daily Trust

chukker

3 of 3

noun (3)

chuk·​ker ˈchə-kər 

variants or less commonly chukka

ˈchə-kə 

plural chukkers also chukkas

: a playing period of a polo game

… the price of a horse that can run, stop and turn, full-out, for the unmitigated seven-and-one-half minutes of a high-goal chukker begins at $15,000.

—Wendy Insinger

At the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington, some 15 miles west of Palm Beach, for example, one can watch a few chukkers of polo …

—Nick Ravo

Both teams started evenly exchanging goals in the first chukka.

—Daily Trust

Examples of chukka in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

New styles include the Faith loafer, Paul chukka boot, Graham loafer and a new sandal assortment launching for the spring 2027 collection. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 1 June 2026

Like its close cousin, the desert boot, the chukka is identified by its shorter, ankle-height height and a two- to three-eyelet closure. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026

Noun

First worn by English polo players to warm themselves between chukkers, the polo coat might be considered the most casual of formal overcoats, or the most formal of casual overcoats. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026

Between chukkers, a DJ with a live trumpet player kept the raucous crowd entertained. —Rachel Marlowe, Vanity Fair, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

chukka, alteration of chukker; from a similar polo player's boot

Noun (3)

Hindi cakkar & Urdu chakkar circular course, from Sanskrit cakra wheel, circle — more at wheel

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1939, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chukka

• bazooka
• festuca
• lactuca
• taluka
• melaleuca