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Glite Dictionary
🎭 A small role 🤐 No speaking lines
walk-on

walk-on

1 7.3
An acting part that has no spoken lines
  • adjective
  • /ˈwɔkˌɑn/
  • Jargon
translation icon : sin diálogo
  • He had a walk-on role in Damn Yankees.

Examples

  • That's an important ability necessary to being the first man to walk on the moon—though it should be noted that walking on the moon is easier than walking on Earth.

    Blog text (14)

  • But that's not all: Browse the Egyptian exhibits on Heritage Lane, see a Revolutionary War encampment reenactment, and participate in the Around the World in 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, November 20th.

    Blog text (18)

  • She was excited to land a walk-on part in the school play, where she would appear as an extra.

  • In the movie, he took on a walk-on role that required him to express emotions without any spoken lines.

  • The theater director needed someone for a walk-on appearance, so they invited actors to audition for silent parts.

Synonyms

nonspeaking
vswalk-on
1 6.0

Not using spoken words, for example a silent actor or someone using sign language

is used for small parts in plays or films that have no spoken lines

Antonyms

speaking
1.4

Able to talk or having words to say, for example a role with lines

How Silent

mime
8 5.1
walk-on
  • Jargon
1 7.3
bit part
5 4.1

Surface Forms

walk-on positive

Morphology

walk-on = walk + on (semi-transparent) = walk + on

Formed from the phrasal verb 'walk on' (appear on stage); the adjectival meaning 'not involving speech' is conventionalised theatrical jargon and not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Walk-on as an adjective comes from the same parts walk and on, meaning 'to walk onto the stage'. That's why a walk-on part is one where the actor appears but does not speak.