cakewalk

American  

[keyk-wawk] / ˈkeɪkˌwɔk /

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.

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verb (used without object)

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

cakewalk British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (intr) to perform the cakewalk

Other Word Forms

• cakewalker noun

Etymology

Origin of cakewalk

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

“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

Related Words

• cinch