cheesecake: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal for dessert; archaic/informal for the slang meaning.
Quick answer
What does “cheesecake” mean?
A dessert consisting of a sweet, soft filling made from cream cheese, sugar, and often eggs, on a crust, typically made from crushed biscuits or pastry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dessert consisting of a sweet, soft filling made from cream cheese, sugar, and often eggs, on a crust, typically made from crushed biscuits or pastry.
In slang (dated), a photograph or image of an attractive woman, especially one emphasizing her physical appeal, as in 'pin-up cheesecake'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The dessert is equally common. Minor variations exist in typical crust ingredients (e.g., digestive biscuits in the UK vs. graham crackers in the US). The slang meaning originated in and is more associated with American English.
Connotations
Dessert: positive, indulgent. Slang: dated, often with a slightly objectifying or playful connotation.
Frequency
The dessert term is of similar high frequency. The slang term is very low frequency in modern usage.
Grammar
How to Use “cheesecake” in a Sentence
[Verb] a cheesecake (bake, make, eat)[Adjective] cheesecake (creamy, baked, slice of)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cheesecake” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'm going to cheesecake this dessert table with a classic baked recipe.
American English
- She totally cheesecaked the bake-off with her key lime version.
adverb
British English
- The filling set cheesecake-ly in the fridge.
American English
- She decorated the dessert cheesecake-style with berry compote.
adjective
British English
- The menu had a very cheesecake-y selection of puds.
American English
- He's known for his cheesecake-level baking skills.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food industry contexts (e.g., 'Our new frozen cheesecake line launched successfully.')
Academic
Very rare, except in cultural studies discussing the slang term historically.
Everyday
Very common as a dessert term. (e.g., 'Shall we share a cheesecake for pudding?')
Technical
Used in culinary arts and food science (e.g., 'The water bath prevents the cheesecake from cracking.')
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cheesecake”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cheesecake”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cheesecake”
- Misspelling as 'cheesecack' or 'cheesecace'. Using 'cheesecake' to refer to any cake containing cheese (e.g., savoury cheese cake).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, technically it is a custard or tart. The 'cake' part of the name is a misnomer based on its form, not its method of preparation.
New York-style cheesecake is denser, richer, and creamier, typically made with heavy cream or sour cream, and has a taller profile. Other styles (e.g., Italian, German) may be lighter, use ricotta, or be no-bake.
It is very rare in contemporary English and sounds dated. Modern equivalents would be terms like 'glamour shot' or simply 'pin-up'.
In very informal, creative, or culinary contexts, it can be used playfully (e.g., 'to cheesecake something' meaning to turn it into or decorate it like a cheesecake), but this is non-standard and not found in dictionaries.
A dessert consisting of a sweet, soft filling made from cream cheese, sugar, and often eggs, on a crust, typically made from crushed biscuits or pastry.
Cheesecake is usually informal for dessert; archaic/informal for the slang meaning. in register.
Cheesecake: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃiːzkeɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃiːzkeɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[slang, dated] 'cheesecake shot/photography'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CHEESE (the main ingredient) + CAKE (the dessert form) = CHEESECAKE.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDULGENCE IS A RICH DESSERT ('That holiday was pure cheesecake.').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT a typical characteristic of the primary meaning of 'cheesecake'?