Main Entry: ¹ca·su·al

Pronunciation: \ˈkazh-wəl, ˈka-zhə-wəl, ˈka-zhəl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French casuel, from Late Latin casualis, from Latin casus fall, chance — more at case

Date: 14th century

1 : subject to, resulting from, or occurring by chance <a casual meeting>
2 a : occurring without regularity : occasional <casual employment> b : employed for irregular periods <a casual worker> c : met with on occasion and known only superficially <a casual friend>
3 a (1) : feeling or showing little concern : nonchalant <a casual approach to cooking> (2) : lacking a high degree of interest or devotion <casual sports fans> <casual readers> (3) : done without serious intent or commitment <casual sex> b (1) : informal, natural <a casual conversation> (2) : designed for informal use <casual clothing>

synonyms see accidental, random

— ca·su·al·ly adverb

— ca·su·al·ness noun