walk-in
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
large enough to be walked into.
a walk-in kitchen.
noun
-
walk-ins
plural
-
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.
-
something large enough to be walked into, as a closet.
-
an assured victory in an election or other contest.
adjective
-
(of a cupboard) large enough to allow a person to enter and move about in
-
(of a building or apartment) located so as to admit of direct access from the street
-
(of a flat or house) in a suitable condition for immediate occupation
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
The primary suite offers its own private escape, complete with vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, and a remodeled walk-in closet.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2026
The trio was given carte blanche to design their individual spaces, which include a bathroom, walk-in closet and fireplace.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
The primary suite serves as another luxurious retreat, boasting dual walk-in closets and a spa-inspired en suite bathroom.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026
Although its store continues to attract a steady flow of walk-in customers looking for the cutting edge of cute, JapanLA’s business has been turbo-charged in recent years by livestream shopping.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
Margaret welcomed me as if I were a walk-in customer even though in her business there aren’t any walk-ins since everything is done by appointment.
From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg
Even though there are 12 of us walk-ins, the hostess immediately pushes several tables together to accommodate the group.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
These days, reservations are recommended but Sullivan holds space for walk-ins.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 27, 2026
The prices are reasonable, service fantastic and they take walk-ins.
From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2025
"On average, we receive up to 50 calls and sometimes 20 walk-ins in a day," Njeri Migwi tells the BBC.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2024
I pretend to have fun with Dee singing our shrimp-deveining song and stuff like that, but I don’t go into the walk-ins.
From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King
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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.
