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Definition of hotcake

hotcake

/ˈhɑːt.keɪk/
hot · cake
Plural:hotcakes
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hotcake Lexical Profile

hotcake Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A flat, round cake made from batter and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan; a pancake.

Example

"The local diner is famous for its fluffy buttermilk hotcakes served with melted butter and warm maple syrup."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hotcake

Word Nuance & Usage

While technically a regional synonym for a pancake, the word is most frequently encountered in modern English within the idiom 'sell like hotcakes,' meaning to be disposed of very quickly and in large quantities.

• Nearby Words

hot sauce
hot water plant
hotan
hotcake
hotel
hothouse
hotnitsa

Word Origin & Etymology

An American English compound of 'hot' and 'cake', first recorded in the late 17th century. The popular idiom 'sell like hotcakes' originated in the mid-19th century, referring to how rapidly these treats were bought by crowds at fairs before they could cool down.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hotcake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hotcake
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