drop-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈdräp-ˌin 

1

: a casual visit or brief stop

2

: one who drops in : a casual visitor

drop in

2 of 2

verb

dropped in; dropping in; drops in

intransitive verb

: to pay an unexpected or casual visit

—often used with on

Synonyms of drop-in

Noun

• visitor
• guest

Verb

• visit
• drop by
• run (over)
• stop (by or in)
• run in

Examples of drop-in in a Sentence

Noun

we're having open house for New Year's, and drop-ins are welcome to come and go as they please

Verb

drop in any time—we're always home

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This quick-dry Olukai sneaker offers multiple ways to speed up the process of getting your shoes on and off with both a bungee lace system and a flexible drop-in heel. — Abby Hepworth, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2026

And for manufacturers, the fibers are a drop-in solution that does not require a change in processes such as spinning, dyeing, knitting and weaving. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Adjustable levelers add stability, and the breadboard extensions hold drop-in leaves that are especially helpful for your larger gatherings. — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2026

There will be live owl demonstrations, a garden tour and open house, arts and crafts, drop-in educational activities like owl pellet dissection and a bird scavenger hunt, and plenty of other hands-on and family-friendly fun, Audubon said. — Jonathan Shikes, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drop-in

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin