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
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.
She later went from a figure-hugging sheer lavender Gucci gown to a playful daytime polka dot ensemble from Jacquemus matched with retro white sun glasses, with Elle magazine praising her "old Hollywood" dash.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
Seconds later, a man in his late 20s climbed out of the darkness, carrying with him a pink polka dot roller suitcase.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
Stewart did not refrain from expressing this opinion in the saltiest terms on-air, especially to Carlson, the show’s co-host who was cast as the overgrown college Republican with odious views and a polka dot bowtie.
From Salon • Feb. 2, 2026
During closing arguments, Cardi B wore a black and white polka dot suit with a red bow, her black hair tied up.
From BBC • Sep. 2, 2025
Violet and Queenie donated a flowered rug that had been laying around in their extra room going to waste, and Mabelee sewed blue-and-white polka dot curtains for the windows with fringe balls along the hem.
From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd
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.
