nautch

noun

: an entertainment in India consisting chiefly of dancing by professional dancing girls

Word History

Etymology

Hindi nāc & Urdu nāch, from Sanskrit nṛtya, from nṛtyati he dances

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nautch was in 1777

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nautch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nautch. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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