polka

American  

[pohl-kuh, poh-kuh] / ˈpoʊl kə, ˈpoʊ kə /

noun

polkas plural

1. a lively couple dance of Bohemian origin, with music in duple meter.

2. a piece of music for such a dance or in its rhythm.

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verb (used without object)

polkaed, polkaing

1. to dance the polka.

polka British  

/ ˈpɒlkə /

noun

1. a 19th-century Bohemian dance with three steps and a hop, in fast duple time

2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

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verb

1. (intr) to dance a polka

polka Cultural  

1. A lively dance for couples, originating in eastern Europe.

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Discover More

Johann Strauss, the Younger wrote many polkas.

Etymology

Origin of polka

1835–45; < Czech: literally, Polish woman or girl; compare Polish polka Polish woman, polak Pole

Explanation

Polka is both a dance and a type of live music that's played specifically for dancing the polka. Many people associate polka music with the accordion. The origins of the polka go back to a Czech folk dance, and the word itself comes from the Czech pulka, or "half," a reference to the common "half-steps" in Bohemian dances. Polka spread to the wider Czech culture by the 1830s, and soon after to Paris, England, and the United States, where it was adopted as the "national dance" of U.S. Polish immigrants during the 20th century. It's also a verb: "Hear that music? Let's polka!"

Example Sentences

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

"You need to get colour and interest into the room. I go for stripes or check or polka dot and you can get a set for around £10."

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

He once hired a polka band to follow one of his friends around on his birthday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

To my great surprise, I had no memory that John Candy had a stellar bit part in the film as a modest Midwestern polka player.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2025

Thinking she was being laughed at, Sydelle Pulaski dropped her polka dot crutch and spilled her coffee on Angela's tapestry bag before managing a solid perch on the counter stool.

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin