walk-in
Americanadjective
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of or relating to persons who walk into a place from the street, especially irregularly or without an appointment.
walk-in customers; walk-in sales; a walk-in patient.
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large enough to be walked into.
a walk-in kitchen.
noun
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a person, as a customer, patient, or interviewee, who arrives without an appointment.
Many of the clinic's patients are walk-ins who suddenly need help.
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something large enough to be walked into, as a closet.
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an assured victory in an election or other contest.
adjective
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(of a cupboard) large enough to allow a person to enter and move about in
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(of a building or apartment) located so as to admit of direct access from the street
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(of a flat or house) in a suitable condition for immediate occupation
Etymology
Origin of walk-in
First recorded in 1925–30; adj., noun use of verb phrase walk 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.
“It was about the size of a walk-in closet, it had one speaker and three chairs,” said Petrella, 28, a theme-park performer.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
The listing adds, “The primary suite exudes elegance with two luxurious ensuites, two walk-in closets, and two private balconies.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026
The property also offers an enormous walk-in closet, as well as a “spa-like” bathroom that features a spacious bathtub and a steam shower.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026
In western Pune city's Hinjewadi tech park, young engineers with degrees and debt queue up each morning for walk-in interviews at BPO firms, hoping to land data entry jobs paying 18,000 rupees a month.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
What I notice right away about the walk-in closet is that there are tons of dark suits hanging everywhere, looking like rows of men at a funeral.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
