casual

1 of 2

adjective

ca·​su·​al ˈkazh-wəl How to pronounce casual (audio)
ˈka-zhə-wəl,
ˈka-zhəl
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
(3)
: allowing for the wearing of informal clothes
… I had my wedding skirt (yep, skirt—it was a casual wedding) …Rory Evans
casual Fridays [=Fridays when employees (as in an office) are allowed to wear casual clothing]
casually adverb
casualness noun

casual

2 of 2

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
Choose the Right Synonym for casual

accidental, fortuitous, casual, contingent mean not amenable to planning or prediction.

accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

random, haphazard, casual mean determined by accident rather than design.

random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure.

a random selection of books

haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence.

a haphazard collection of rocks

casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose.

a casual collector

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 Web
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

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.

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
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

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