Definitions for cakewalk
ˈkeɪkˌwɔkcake·walk

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. cakewalknoun

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

2. cakewalkverb

   an easy accomplishment

   "winning the tournament was a cakewalk for him"; "invading Iraq won't be a cakewalk"

3. cakewalkverb

   perform the cakewalk dance

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. cakewalknoun

   A contest in which cake was offered for the best dancers.

2. cakewalknoun

   The style of music associated with such a contest.

3. cakewalknoun

   The dance, or style of dance associated with such a contest.

4. cakewalknoun

   Something that is easy or simple, or that does not present a great challenge.

5. Etymology: Originally a form of dance that white masters had their slaves perform for them and their audiences as entertainment. The slaveowners considered the spectacle extremely amusing since the dances derived from sophisticated white European aristocracy. As such, slaveowners dressed the slaves in costumes of exaggerated finery, like ridiculously tall tophats and flashy striped pants, and taught the slaves variations of the original dance steps designed as highly comical parodies. Audiences selected their favorites, and the slaves who performed most entertainingly for their masters were rewarded with a piece of cake.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Cakewalk

   The cakewalk was a dance developed from the "prize walks" (dance contests with a cake awarded as the prize) held in the mid-19th century, generally at get-togethers on Black slave plantations before and after emancipation in the Southern United States. Alternative names for the original form of the dance were "chalkline-walk", and the "walk-around". It was originally a processional partner dance danced with comical formality, and may have developed as a subtle mockery of the mannered dances of white slaveholders. Following an exhibition of the cakewalk at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the cakewalk was adopted by performers in minstrel shows, where it was danced exclusively by men until the 1890s. At that point, Broadway shows featuring women began to include cakewalks, and grotesque dances became very popular across the country.The fluid and graceful steps of the dance may have given rise to the colloquialism that something accomplished with ease is a "cakewalk".

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Cakewalk

   The Cake-Walk or Cakewalk was a dance developed from the "Prize Walks" held in the late 19th century, generally at get-togethers on slave plantations in the Southern United States. Alternative names for the original form of the dance were "chalkline-walk", and the "walk-around". At the conclusion of a performance of the original form of the dance in an exhibit at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, an enormous cake was awarded to the winning couple. Thereafter it was performed in minstrel shows, exclusively by men until the 1890s. The inclusion of women in the cast "made possible all sorts of improvisations in the Walk, and the original was soon changed into a grotesque dance" which became very popular across the country.

Matched Categories

1. • Dance
   • Stage Dancing

How to pronounce cakewalk?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say cakewalk in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of cakewalk in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of cakewalk in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of cakewalk in a Sentence

1. Cleveland Cavaliers:

   I live a good life, theres no reason for me to be stressed or be dissatisfied. Ive got four amazing kids. I went through one of the toughest parts of my life with my (premature) daughter. This is easy. This is a cakewalk. Just stay in shape and stay ready to play basketball when Im called. If Im not called, I still get to be home with my family.

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