Jump To:

• drop-in
  drop-in

  noun

  Also a person who or thing that pays an unexpected or uninvited visit.
• drop in
  drop in

  verb

  surfing to intrude on a wave that another surfer is already riding

drop-in

American  

[drop-in] / ˈdrɒpˌɪn /

noun

1. Informal. Also a person who or thing that pays an unexpected or uninvited visit.

   a feeder for squirrels, raccoons, and other drop-ins.

2. 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

1. provided for short-term patronage.

   a drop-in shelter for people who are moving through homelessness.

2. requiring only insertion to be ready for use.

   a drop-in battery pack.

drop in British  

verb

1. surfing to intrude on a wave that another surfer is already riding

---

Etymology

Origin of drop-in

First recorded in 1810–20; noun and adjective use of verb phrase drop in

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

drop-in drop in

The MCC is also experimenting with drop-in pitches, which are heavily used in Australia.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

Among its holistic therapies, all free of charge to patients and carers, are drop-in art classes, a well-being garden and a chaplaincy service.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 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

The co-operative used community share offers to help open their present building, CAN HQ, which showcases the work of over 100 local creatives and artists, alongside an advice drop-in, repair workshop and kids clubs.

From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026

“Of course! What did I do to get so lucky for a drop-in visit? Everything okay?”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

All eight episodes drop in full on Paramount+.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said tests taken last year by 15-year-olds in 91 countries and economies revealed a big drop in scores compared with a decade earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

The team is fined $30 million, a drop in the bucket to the owner who, with other executives, got suspended for up to a year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

Puffin numbers in one of the UK's largest colonies have suffered after a drop in food supplies and extreme weather conditions, conservationists have warned.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

So you can see why I didn’t have time to drop in on my new friend, Sam.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

Related Words

• come by
• come over
• pop in
• turn up