cakewalk

[ keyk-wawk ]

noun

1. (formerly) a promenade or march, of Black American origin, in which the couples with the most intricate or eccentric steps received cakes as prizes.
2. a dance with a strutting step based on this promenade.
3. music for this dance.
4. Informal. something easy, sure, or certain.

verb (used without object)

1. to walk or dance in or as if in a cakewalk.

cakewalk

/ ˈkeɪkˌwɔːk /

noun

1. a dance based on a march with intricate steps, originally performed by African-Americans with the prize of a cake for the best performers
2. a piece of music composed for this dance
3. informal.
   an easily accomplished task

verb

1. intr to perform the cakewalk

Derived Forms

• ˈcakeˌwalker, noun

Other Words From

• cakewalker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cakewalk¹

First recorded in 1860–65; cake + walk

Example Sentences

The election is still one of the closest in modern American history; however, it is not the cakewalk it likely appeared to be when the summer kicked off.

From Salon

“He ended up winning,” Kobe said, “but it was a battle to the end. It wasn’t no cakewalk for him.”

From Los Angeles Times

Compared to that, Stadium 1 at Indian Wells was a cakewalk.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think everybody was like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is going to be a cakewalk today,’” Malone said.

From Seattle Times

With all the expectations and hopes now pinned on Ohtani, helping the Dodgers win a World Series championship may be a cakewalk by comparison.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cinch