cha-cha

Also cha-cha-cha

[chah-chah]

noun

plural

cha-chas 

1. a fast ballroom dance of Latin American origin, similar to the mambo, that follows a rhythmic pattern based upon a quick three-step movement.

verb (used without object)

cha-chaed, cha-chaing 

1. to dance the cha-cha.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cha-cha¹

First recorded in 1950–55; from Latin American Spanish (Cuban) cha-cha-cha, probably imitative of the musical accompaniment