Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Extending far enough back to allow a person to enter: Used to describe a storage space, such as a closet, refrigerator, or safe, that is large enough for a person to walk into.

2. Noun:

   • A small room large enough to admit entrance: A room, often used for storage, that a person can physically enter.
   • An assured victory: A victory, especially in an election, that is considered certain or easily achieved.
   • A defector who initiates their own defection: An intelligence operative who voluntarily defects, usually to a hostile country, to seek political asylum.
   • A person who arrives without an appointment: A client, customer, or patient who arrives for service without a prior reservation or scheduled time.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The house has a walk-in pantry.
  • They store the archival documents in a walk-in safe.

• Noun:

  • We keep the linens in the walk-in. (referring to a closet or storage room)
  • The election is not a walk-in; it will be a close race. (referring to an assured victory)
  • The agency was compromised by a walk-in from the opposing side. (referring to a defector)
  • The clinic can accommodate ten walk-ins per day. (referring to a person without an appointment)

Advanced Usage

• "walk-in interview": An interview for a job that candidates can attend without a prior appointment.

  • The company is holding walk-in interviews all week.

• "walk-in basis": A system for providing service where appointments are not required.

  • Patients are seen on a walk-in basis.

Variants and Related Words

• Walk-in clinic (n): A medical clinic that accepts patients without appointments.

  • For minor issues, you can go to a walk-in clinic.

• Walk-in cooler (n): A large refrigerated room for storing food, which a person can enter.

  • The restaurant's produce is in the walk-in cooler.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Full-size, enterable, room-sized.
• Noun (room): Storage room, closet, cupboard.
• Noun (victory): Certainty, sure thing, landslide.
• Noun (defector): Defector, turncoat, informant.
• Noun (client): Drop-in, unscheduled visitor.

Related Phrases

• Walk right in: An invitation or instruction to enter without hesitation.

  • The door is open, just walk right in.

• Walk-in customer: A customer who enters a physical store.

  • Most of our business comes from walk-in customers.

Related Idioms

• A walk in the park: Something very easy to do. (Note: This idiom uses "walk" but is conceptually related to the ease implied by a "walk-in" victory).
  • The final exam was a walk in the park.

Adjective

1. (of e.g. closets or refrigerators) extending very far enough back to allow a person to enter
   • a deep walk-in refrigerator
   • walk-in closets

Noun

1. a small room large enough to admit entrance
2. an assured victory (especially in an election)
3. an operative who initiates his own defection (usually to a hostile country) for political asylum
4. person who walks in without having an appointment
   • the emergency room was overrun with walk-ins