polka

American  

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

noun

plural

polkas

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

At 19 he joined the Polka Tulk Blues Band, named after the brand of talcum powder favored by his mother.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

Wayne would swagger into town to shoot flicks like “Blue Steel,” a 1934 western starring The Duke as a U.S. marshal who pursues a baddie named the Polka Dot Bandit.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 26, 2025

The band's first name, Polka Tulk, was inspired by a brand of talcum powder his mum used.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

Listen to tunes from the Edelweiss Band and Polka Terps while noshing on brats and pretzels.

From Washington Post • Sep. 15, 2022

We danced these old square dances, what you call the Virginia Reel, and the round dances like the Schottische, Polka, waltzes, and all them.

From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 3 by United States. Work Projects Administration