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
(2)
: designed for informal use
casual clothing
(3)
: allowing for the wearing of informal clothes
… I had my wedding skirt (yep, skirt—it was a casual wedding) …—
Rory Evans
Rory Evanscasual Fridays [=Fridays when employees (as in an office) are allowed to wear casual clothing]
casually
adverb
casualness
noun
1
: a casual (see casual entry 1 sense 2b) or migratory worker
2
: an officer or enlisted person awaiting assignment or transportation to a unit
Synonyms
Examples of casual in a Sentence
Adjective
a casual encounter on the sidewalk
The atmosphere at the meeting was quite casual.
He made a casual remark about her shoes.
He's a casual sports fan.
Recent Examples on the WebMia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 17 Nov. 2023
Her casual cruelty is driven by a need to have isolated her family from dangers from outside.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
That included power suits, casual button-downs, baseball hats, and baggy jeans or trousers.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 16 Nov. 2023
Even casual fans should find the atmosphere thrilling, Markovich said, particularly those who happen to pass through game-day destinations while cruising the country’s rivers.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023
Nike, which reported a 2% decline in North American footwear sales in its latest quarter, is facing energetic competition for both athletes and casual consumers from brands including Hoka, On, Adidas and New Balance.
—Katie Deighton, WSJ, 14 Nov. 2023
Shannon — with his square, stone-cut face and dark, flat slashes for eyes and mouth — has an unmistakable nasal drawl, level and unhurried but never casual, always edged with potential menace.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2023
For casual options, try chef Gabriel DeLeon's inventive fusion of Mexico City classics with the flavors of Santa Fe and Tex-Mex cuisine at Mi Dia from Scratch.
—Jennifer Chappell Smith, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2023
There were families, people on dates, casual groups of friends, attractive singles and true fans of music.
—Eric Fuller, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2023
On the other end of the spectrum, postings specifying ‘business casual’ and ‘smart casual’ have continually declined since 2020.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023
This casual haunt overlooking Britannia Bay is perfect for lunch, dinner, and cocktails at sunset, or come for its weekly events like Wednesday night's Jump Up when live bands and local DJs bring the spirit of St. Vincent to Mustique and the indulgent Taco and Tequila Thursdays.
—Rondel Holder, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2023
Many of them are inspired by my favorite casual 'stay at home' staples, elevated with feminine details.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2023
There will be two distinct dining areas: one casual, called the Petit Café, and the formal Grand Café.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 14 July 2023
Between hot and sticky late summer weather, potential sunburns, and being in a celebrity-speckled audience, consideration is required to nail down smart casual.
—Jaimie Potters, Town & Country, 17 Aug. 2023
Trouser Shorts Business casual keeps infiltrating our closets.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Aug. 2023
Do use your own discretion on what your workplace or business casual allows.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 27 July 2023
See More
Adjective
Whether paired with tailored trousers for a business meeting or draped over a casual dress for an evening out, this blazer is incredibly versatile for the holiday season.
—Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 17 Nov. 2023
Her casual cruelty is driven by a need to have isolated her family from dangers from outside.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023
That included power suits, casual button-downs, baseball hats, and baggy jeans or trousers.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 16 Nov. 2023
Even casual fans should find the atmosphere thrilling, Markovich said, particularly those who happen to pass through game-day destinations while cruising the country’s rivers.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023
Nike, which reported a 2% decline in North American footwear sales in its latest quarter, is facing energetic competition for both athletes and casual consumers from brands including Hoka, On, Adidas and New Balance.
—Katie Deighton, WSJ, 14 Nov. 2023
Shannon — with his square, stone-cut face and dark, flat slashes for eyes and mouth — has an unmistakable nasal drawl, level and unhurried but never casual, always edged with potential menace.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2023
For casual options, try chef Gabriel DeLeon's inventive fusion of Mexico City classics with the flavors of Santa Fe and Tex-Mex cuisine at Mi Dia from Scratch.
—Jennifer Chappell Smith, Southern Living, 13 Nov. 2023
There were families, people on dates, casual groups of friends, attractive singles and true fans of music.
—Eric Fuller, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Noun
How to Create a Traditional Casual Style for Your Home
Traditional casual is a perfect mix of form and function.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2023
On the other end of the spectrum, postings specifying ‘business casual’ and ‘smart casual’ have continually declined since 2020.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023
This casual haunt overlooking Britannia Bay is perfect for lunch, dinner, and cocktails at sunset, or come for its weekly events like Wednesday night's Jump Up when live bands and local DJs bring the spirit of St. Vincent to Mustique and the indulgent Taco and Tequila Thursdays.
—Rondel Holder, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2023
Many of them are inspired by my favorite casual 'stay at home' staples, elevated with feminine details.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2023
There will be two distinct dining areas: one casual, called the Petit Café, and the formal Grand Café.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 14 July 2023
Between hot and sticky late summer weather, potential sunburns, and being in a celebrity-speckled audience, consideration is required to nail down smart casual.
—Jaimie Potters, Town & Country, 17 Aug. 2023
Trouser Shorts Business casual keeps infiltrating our closets.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Aug. 2023
Do use your own discretion on what your workplace or business casual allows.
—Maverick Li, Men's Health, 27 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'casual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French casuel, from Late Latin casualis, from Latin casus fall, chance — more at case
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
circa 1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of casual was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing casual
Dictionary Entries Near casual
Cite this Entry
“Casual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/casual. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
casual
adjective
ca·su·al
ˈkazh-(ə-)wəl,
ˈkazh-əl
1
: happening unexpectedly or by chance : not planned or foreseen
a casual meeting
2
: happening without regularity : occasional
casual employment
3
a
: feeling or showing little concern : nonchalant
a casual approach to cooking
b
: designed for ordinary or informal use
casual clothes
casually
adverb
-ē
casualness
noun
Legal Definition
casual
adjective
ca·su·al
1
a
: not expected or foreseen
b
: not done purposefully : accidental
2
a
: employed for irregular periods
a casual worker
b
: engaging in an activity on an occasional basis
a casual seller
More from Merriam-Webster on casual
Nglish: Translation of casual for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of casual for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about casual
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