black bottom

1 of 2

noun

1
sometimes capitalized both Bs : a tract of low-lying land with black soil
2
often capitalized both Bs [probably from black bottom "low-lying section of a southern town occupied primarily by black people"] : an American dance popular from 1926 to 1928 with sinuous movements of the hips and rocking steps

black-bottom

2 of 2

intransitive verb

-ed/-ing/-s
: to dance the black bottom

Word History

Etymology

Intransitive verb

black bottom

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near black bottom

black-bottom

black bottom

black box

Cite this Entry

“Black bottom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20bottom. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!