polka

noun

pol·​ka ˈpōl-kə  ˈpō-kə 

1

: a lively couple dance of Bohemian origin in duple time with a basic pattern of hop-step-close-step

2

: a lively originally Bohemian dance tune in ²/₄ time

polka intransitive verb

Examples of polka in a Sentence

The band played a polka.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wearing a colorful polka-dot shirt, a red tie, and voluminous rainbow pants, with her hair cut in a scraggly mullet, Sherman, who is thirty-two, delivered a performance that was almost entirely given over to an abrasive discussion of the abjectness of the human body—mostly her own. —Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025

The former model wore a black and white polka-dot dress, white blazer, black tights and red heels, pairing it with a matching red purse. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025

At last year's showing, people snapped photos and holed up at metal tables to hoist custom steins and croon along with German polka, jazz and '70s funk cover bands. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025

Related Articles Liu’s choice extends the year’s polka-dot momentum, which has moved steadily from runway presentations into major events. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Czech, from Polka Polish woman, feminine of Polák Pole

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing polka

• polka dot
• polka-dotted

Kids Definition

polka

noun

pol·​ka ˈpōl-kə 

: a lively dance that originated in Bohemia

polka verb