CAKEWALK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cakewalk mean? 

• CAKEWALK (noun)
  The noun CAKEWALK has 2 senses:

1. a strutting dance based on a march; was performed in minstrel shows; originated as a competition among Black dancers to win a cake

2. an easy accomplishment

  Familiarity information: CAKEWALK used as a noun is rare.

• CAKEWALK (verb)
  The verb CAKEWALK has 1 sense:

1. perform the cakewalk dance

  Familiarity information: CAKEWALK used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CAKEWALK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A strutting dance based on a march; was performed in minstrel shows; originated as a competition among Black dancers to win a cake

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("cakewalk" is a kind of...):

choreography; stage dancing (a show involving artistic dancing)

Derivation:

cakewalk (perform the cakewalk dance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An easy accomplishment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

invading Iraq won't be a cakewalk

Hypernyms ("cakewalk" is a kind of...):

accomplishment; achievement (the action of accomplishing something)

Domain usage:

figure; figure of speech; image; trope (language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense)

• CAKEWALK (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Perform the cakewalk dance

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "cakewalk" is one way to...):

dance; trip the light fantastic; trip the light fantastic toe (move in a pattern; usually to musical accompaniment; do or perform a dance)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue cakewalk

Derivation:

cakewalk (a strutting dance based on a march; was performed in minstrel shows; originated as a competition among Black dancers to win a cake)