drop-in
noun
Also a person who or thing that pays an unexpected or uninvited visit.
drop-in
American
[drop-in]
/ ˈdrɒpˌɪn /
noun
-
Informal. Also a person who or thing that pays an unexpected or uninvited visit.
a feeder for squirrels, raccoons, and other drop-ins.
-
Informal. a social gathering at which the guests are not expected to stay long.
Be sure to stop by our house for a glass of eggnog at our Christmas drop-in.
adjective
-
provided for short-term patronage.
a drop-in shelter for people who are moving through homelessness.
-
requiring only insertion to be ready for use.
a drop-in battery pack.
drop in
British
verb
Etymology
Origin of drop-in
First recorded in 1810–20; noun and adjective use of verb phrase drop in
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Menopause Matters also holds a monthly cafe-style drop-in in Barrow-in-Furness, offering women the opportunity to meet up in an informal environment.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
The man who took the widely shared image said police did not have enough information at Thursday's drop-in event "to be able to give us anything".
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
The MCC is also experimenting with drop-in pitches, which are heavily used in Australia.
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026
Sometimes, though, capybaras need more help than they can get from these drop-in visits—a fact that, along with the species’ rising popularity, has ushered some capybaras of Brazil into a new kind of lifestyle entirely.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
It passed churches, meditation halls, mosques, drop-in clinics for Mellowers and an entire floor devoted to the Lion Spirit Medium, who relayed messages from mhondoro, the spirit of the land.
From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer
The situation led to a nearly 50 percent drop in revenue in China compared to a year earlier.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026
Schwarzman said the firm had anticipated the drop in net realizations and expects to have an “outstanding” 2027.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
“Twenty-eight out of 23 million registered voters in California is just … a drop in the bucket numerically,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.
From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2026
To offset the drop in productivity, mining companies have moved to expand and modernize their mines.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2026
Fortunately, the drop in the lake had created a small bay on the far side of the little island.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
