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

Other Word Forms

• cakewalker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cakewalk¹

First recorded in 1860–65; cake + walk

Example Sentences

If this is to be a series to be remembered - rather than a forgettable cakewalk - then the Wallabies have to make it so.

From BBC

In the last 18 minutes, the visitors scored three unanswered tries - all converted - to turn a cakewalk into a struggle for the Scots, whose edge blunted incredibly in the second half.

From BBC

Her goal: to walk off the stage after the monologue and then feel like the rest of the show is “a cakewalk.”

From Los Angeles Times

My goal is just to walk offstage after that monologue and feel like, OK, the rest of this show’s a cakewalk.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• cinch