polka dot
Americannoun
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a dot or round spot (printed, woven, or embroidered) repeated to form a pattern on a textile fabric.
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a pattern of or a fabric with such dots.
noun
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one of a pattern of small circular regularly spaced spots on a fabric
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a fabric or pattern with such spots
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( as modifier )
a polka-dot dress
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Other Word Forms
- polka-dot adjective
- polka-dotted adjective
Etymology
Origin of polka dot
An Americanism dating back to 1880–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"You need to get colour and interest into the room. I go for stripes or check or polka dot and you can get a set for around £10."
From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026
My earliest memories of fashion would be getting a red polka dot dress for Easter and refusing to take it off.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2024
“My earliest memories of fashion would be getting a red polka dot dress for Easter and refusing to take it off.”
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2024
And then you see the polka dot dress when she fights — she's angry now, so there's these spots of anger.
From Salon • May 16, 2024
As for a swimsuit, my options were limited to my black one-piece and the red and white polka dot one I bought last summer but hadn’t had the balls to wear.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
