polka

Everyday

1. A lively, bouncy dance for couples that started in Central Europe in the 1800s, with quick hopping steps. tree →
2. The music played for this dance, usually with two beats in a bar. tree →
3. (as in «polka dots») a pattern of round dots of the same size spread evenly over cloth. tree →
4. (verb, rare) To dance a polka. tree →

In the lessons

In music and PE lessons a polka is a fast, happy folk dance; in art and clothes «polka dots» are the even round spots on a dress, a tie or a mug. In stories it tells the reader there is a cheerful party or village dance. Phrases: «dance a polka», «polka music», «polka dots», «polka-dot dress».

Examples

• At the school ceilidh we learned to dance the polka. tree →
• The band played a polka and everyone started hopping round the hall. tree →
• A polka has two beats in each bar, so it is easy to clap along. tree →
• My nan's favourite dress is red with white polka dots. tree →
• Ladybirds look like they are wearing polka dots. tree →
• The accordion player squeezed out a jolly polka. tree →
• In art we printed polka dots with the ends of pencils. tree →
• Grandad and Gran polkaed round the kitchen at Christmas. tree →
• I am going to teach you to jump and bow, to dance a waltz and a polka, and even to stand on your head.” tree →

Note

Countable noun: a polka, two polkas. «Polka dot» is usually two words, with a hyphen before a noun: a polka-dot scarf. The verb is rare and old-fashioned. Say POL-ka (UK) or POLE-ka (US). Polka dots are a pattern of circles, not a dance, even though they share the name.