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

Democrats still think that 2016 is going to be Clinton cakewalk.

From The Daily Beast

If the Democrats maintain this charade, 2016 will not be the cakewalk they dream it to be.

From The Daily Beast

But that does not, so far as Philippe Petit is concerned, make it a cakewalk.

From The Daily Beast

Germany won a cakewalk, controlling the game from start to finish.

From The Daily Beast

And that was a cakewalk compared to the three years I spent teaching high school!

From The Daily Beast

Well, he'll be back on the night train, for to-morrow is the final cakewalk of his old Conference.

From Project Gutenberg

Still others, doing a kind of animated cakewalk, carried toy ray guns which they fired at random into the crowd.

From Project Gutenberg

I know she can dance, for have I not seen her executing the cakewalk in Dimbie's tea-rose slippers?

From Project Gutenberg

In Paris the cakewalk is a thing of misunderstood, misapplied accents.

From Project Gutenberg

He tipped his derby one-sided and started off on a cakewalk.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cinch