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
-
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:
You can get a walk-in MenB vaccine at a pharmacy if you were born on or after 21 July 2001, and for the first time this autumn you are:
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
The primary suite is completed by two huge walk-in closets, one of which is complete with a built-in vanity, while both feature light-up shelving.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
In recent days, social media has been filled with videos of Europeans gawking at the staples of suburban American life—a two-car garage, a walk-in closet, a second refrigerator.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
The introduction of food delivery services with the pandemic led to a decline in walk-in business.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
It’s a walk-in, big enough to fit my clothes and books and me sitting crisscross with our family laptop.
From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio
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
Before August, the seven county facilities were open for appointments and walk-ins only a certain number of hours each day.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2023
Jennifer Mackey, a director at Shadows, said people access the services through GP referrals and walk-ins.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2023
I avoid all contact with both walk-ins until a quick inventory check while Dee is doing dishes.
From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King
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.
