walk on

1 of 2

verb

walked on; walking on; walks on

transitive verb

: to take advantage of : abuse

walk-on

2 of 2

noun

ˈwȯk-ˌȯn 

-ˌän

1

: a minor part (as in a dramatic production)

also : an actor having such a part

2

: a college athlete who tries out for an athletic team without having been recruited or offered a scholarship

Examples of walk on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hecht is a former walk-on who rose up the ranks in a K-State program known for churning out big, mean fellas. —Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026

In the fifth round, the Dolphins drafted its first true safety in Texas’ Michael Taaffe, a former walk-on who ended his collegiate career as both a two-time captain and All-American. —Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026

In 2025, the former walk-on piled up 563 punt-return yards, 476 kickoff-return yards and four return touchdowns, bringing his career total to six. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

Taaffe went from walk-on with the Longhorns to first-team All-American as a senior in 2025. —David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for walk on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon