polka dot

polka dot — noun

IPA/ˈpɒlkə dɒt/
IPA/ˈpəʊlkə dɑːt/

1. any of the many small round spots, evenly spaced and repeated, that make up a co

1.nounB1
Definition

any of the many small round spots, evenly spaced and repeated, that make up a common design on clothes and fabric.

Example

Mizuki chose a red dress with white polka dots for the summer party.

usually plural: white polka dots

The little blue polka dots on the curtains matched the baby's blanket.

noun + noun: polka dots on [object]

Common collocations
  • white polka dots
  • tiny polka dots
  • polka dots on the dress
Synonyms
  • spot

    general round mark; not limited to a repeating fabric pattern

  • dot

    any small round mark, not specifically the evenly spaced fabric kind

Grammar Patterns

usually plural

Usage Note

Almost always plural and most often paired with the colour and a fabric item (a scarf, dress, or tie).

Common Mistakes

She wore a polka dot.
She wore polka dots.
the spots come as a repeating set, so the plural is normal.

polka dot — adjective

IPA/ˈpɒl.kə ˌdɒt/
IPA/ˈpoʊ.kə ˌdɑːt/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words name a small round mark, but they differ in scope. A 'dot' is the most general — any tiny round point, including the one over the letter 'i' or a mark on a map. A 'spot' is a little larger and often suggests a single, sometimes unwanted mark, such as a spot of paint or a spot on the skin. A 'polka dot' is special: it is only used for the evenly spaced, repeating round spots that form a regular pattern on cloth, and it almost always appears in the plural. You would describe a fabric design as 'polka dots', but you would call a single random mark a 'spot' or a 'dot'. So choose 'polka dot' when you mean the fashion pattern: 'a scarf with red polka dots' sounds natural, while 'a scarf with red spots' suggests stains.

polka dot ↗spot ↗dot ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • polka dot dress
  • polka dot pattern

Phrases

  • covered in polka dots

Prepositions

  • polka dots on

Etymology

CzechGermanEnglish

The term comes from the polka, a lively dance from central Europe that became hugely fashionable in the mid-1800s. As the dance craze spread, makers attached its trendy name to many products, including a spotted fabric, and the name 'polka dot' stuck for the pattern even after the dance lost its fame.

First known use

1857

1857, in the meaning defined above