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

"Now you're wearing this for the minute you walk in the door to the minute we leave the classroom at 3 o'clock."

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Hours before their walk in Zhongnanhai, Fox News aired a pre-recorded interview with Trump, in which he praised Xi as "warm" and "very smart".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

“When you walk in, you feel like you’ve entered a different time and world, from the 1915 Viennese lights to the cafe tables,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

“Every time I walk in here, it affects me,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

I stared at it, wishing I could just walk in and pretend the fight had never happened.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

Related Words

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