walk-in

American  

[wawk-in] / ˈwɔkˌɪn /

adjective

1. 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.

2. large enough to be walked into.

   a walk-in kitchen.

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noun

1. 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.

2. something large enough to be walked into, as a closet.

3. an assured victory in an election or other contest.

walk-in British  

adjective

1. (of a cupboard) large enough to allow a person to enter and move about in

2. (of a building or apartment) located so as to admit of direct access from the street

3. (of a flat or house) in a suitable condition for immediate occupation

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Etymology

Origin of walk-in

First recorded in 1925–30; adj., noun use of verb phrase walk in

Example Sentences

As for the Americans, they belatedly realized their misjudgment about the “walk-in” they had dismissed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Health Secretary Neil Gray is trying to see off planned strikes by resident doctors and open the first in a network of NHS walk-in treatment centres.

From BBC

Each of the five bedrooms is en suite, with the primary suite boasting dual walk-in closets.

From MarketWatch

While walk-in pharmacies don’t make money until customers show up for their drugs, mail-order ones process the transactions when the automated shipments go out.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now owned by Accor, the French hotel chain, the brand is a sponsor of the show, and the towering display, separate from other galleries, felt like a walk-in advertorial.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• applicant
• buyer
• consumer
• patient
• patron
• shopper