walk-on

American  

[wawk-on, -awn] / ˈwɔkˌɒn, -ˌɔn /

noun

1. Also called walking part.  a small part in a play or other entertainment, especially one without speaking lines.

2. an entertainer or actor who plays such a part.

3. an athlete trying out for a team who has not been drafted, specifically invited, scouted, awarded a scholarship, etc.

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walk-on British  

noun

1. 1. a small part in a play or theatrical entertainment, esp one without any lines

   2. ( as modifier )

      a walk-on part

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adjective

1. (of an aircraft or air service) having seats to be booked immediately before departure rather than in advance

Etymology

Origin of walk-on

First recorded in 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase walk on

Example Sentences

That makes me excited to wake up and do the whole, like, walk-on or whatever.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

Starting center, former walk-on Kilian O’Connor, played in eight games.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2025

At a charity ball earlier this year tied to the Cannes film festival, Durov paid 400,000 euros in an auction to win Vavilova a walk-on role in a Spike Lee movie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Sakai gained the support of the Alexandra Palace crowd with a long, exuberant walk-on and was a showman who played up to the fans throughout his match.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Louis the Goon Engel was a mere walk-on in the piece, a spear-carrier doomed to death.

From Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942 by Various

Related Words

• artist
• character
• clown
• comedian
• entertainer
• performer
• player
• star
• villain