cha-cha

[chah-chah]

noun, plural cha-chas.

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-cha·ing.

Also cha-cha-cha.

Origin of cha-cha

1950–55; < American Spanish (Cuban) cha-cha-cha, probably imitative of the musical accompaniment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Although not everyone can throw on a sequined jumpsuit and cha-cha their way back to financial security.
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He goes into the clubs—the pole joints and the cha-cha places—with his crew of locals to seek out subjects for his pictures.
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Ross Kenneth Urken
May 17, 2009

Cha-cha was exceedingly desirous that I should accept his hospitality.
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Brantz Mayer
The power of this man among the natives is well-known; it far exceeded that of Cha-cha, of whom I have already spoken.
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Brantz Mayer

also cha-cha-cha, type of Latin-American 3-beat ballroom dance, 1954, echoic of the music.