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

Example Sentences

Judge Derek Hough called the cha-cha “a punctuation mark letting everybody know that you are a top contender on this show.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In October, Spears was eliminated from the ABC reality program “Dancing With the Stars” after she and her dance partner scored a 16 out of 30 on their cha-cha routine.

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He began improvising on the dance floor at an early age, with cha-cha and the samba, at family gatherings.

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"I think that he'll land on his feet because if he learns to cha-cha he can go to 'Dancing With the Stars,'" Behar quipped, earning a few laughs from the audience.

Read more on Salon

Many were first-generation Asian Americans, drawn to the artistry of the tango, fox trot and cha-cha after having spent most of their lives working and raising children.

Read more on New York Times