cakey

adjective

cak·​ey ˈkā-kē 

variants or less commonly caky

cakier; cakiest

1

: resembling cake especially in texture

cakey cookies

Some people like their brownies on the cakey side, and some feel they should be more like fudge.

—Laurie Colwin

2

: unpleasantly or unattractively thick or uneven

—usually used of cosmetic products

"Full coverage foundations tend to settle into fine lines and can look cakey or heavy on the skin," said one such [makeup] artist, Monika Blunder.

—Kristen Bateman

Everyone remembers the cakey nude lipsticks of the Eighties, but today's promise a much more subtle effect.

—Kate Battersby

Before you toss that lackluster lipstick or caky concealer, check these tricks for repurposing those unflattering beauty buys.

—Paige DePaolis

Examples of cakey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The buttery, full-coverage formula melts right into skin, instantly neutralizing shadows without feeling heavy or cakey. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 29 Oct. 2025

Our new favorite dump cake tastes like a cross between a gooey pecan pie and a buttery, cakey cobbler. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, hydrating heroes like hyaluronic acid and glycerin ensure skin stays natural-looking and never cakey. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2025

Much like translucent powder — my go-to trick for minimizing the look of breakouts without concealer, which can appear cakey — The Ordinary says the smart formula helps absorb excess oil and reduce visible shine. —Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

cake entry 1 + -y entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cakey

• flaky
• reiki
• shaky
• snaky