a walk in

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Describing a place or service you can use without an appointment, just by arriving.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: a walk-in clinic. It is not used after 'be' alone; say 'The clinic is walk-in only' or 'It's a walk-in clinic'.

   Patterns

   • a walk-in clinic
   • walk-in appointments

   If you feel sick, go to the walk-in clinic on Main Street.

   The salon takes walk-in customers when it isn't too busy.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   A person who arrives at a place without an appointment or prior arrangement.

   Grammar: Countable: a walk-in, several walk-ins. Often used in business or medical contexts.

   Patterns

   • accept walk-ins
   • a walk-in for an interview

   The restaurant doesn't take reservations, but walk-ins are welcome.

   We had three walk-ins at the office asking about the job.

Word forms

Common combinations

walk-in clinic

The walk-in clinic is open until 9 p.m.

walk-in appointment

No walk-in appointments are available today.

walk-in customers

The shop welcomes walk-in customers.

walk-ins welcome

The sign said 'Walk-ins welcome'.

Synonyms and how they differ

drop-in

Drop-in is very similar but often suggests a casual or brief visit; walk-in is common for medical or service settings.

without an appointment

This phrase explains the meaning but is not an adjective; use it after a verb, as in 'You can come without an appointment'.

Word family

walk in verb

To enter a place by walking.

Commonly confused: a walk in or walk-in closet?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a walk in”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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