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