cha-cha-cha

British  

/ ˌtʃɑːtʃɑːˈtʃɑː /

noun

1. a Latin-American ballroom dance with small steps and swaying hip movements

2. a piece of music composed for this dance

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verb

1. to perform this dance

Etymology

Origin of cha-cha-cha

C20: from American (Cuban) Spanish

Example Sentences

Its opening riffs are based on the Cuban bassist Israel “Cachao” López’s classic “Chanchullo,” and the track is formally a cha-cha-cha that celebrates dance floor flirting.

From New York Times • Apr. 19, 2023

There are usually three live bands, with danzón, swing and cha-cha-cha featured on Tuesdays, and a more tropical feel of cumbia and samba on Sundays, with dance classes on Mondays and Tuesdays.

From The Guardian • Sep. 3, 2018

Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson’s stint on the show in 2006 was over practically as soon as it began: He was the first contestant eliminated after he stiffly struggled through a cha-cha-cha with partner, Elena Grinenko.

From Washington Post • Jul. 27, 2017

"Daniel and I were at the back looking at each other. The cha-cha-cha was like a what-what-what? It was a nightmare," she says.

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2015

“How come the guys inside the control room didn’t flip a switch to shut down the book sorter when they saw Haley doing her cardio cha-cha-cha on it?”

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein