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as in informal
not designed to be worn only on special occasions a restaurant where people in casual clothes are always welcome

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective casual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of casual are accidental, contingent, and fortuitous. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When might accidental be a better fit than casual?

The synonyms accidental and casual are sometimes interchangeable, but accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

In what contexts can contingent take the place of casual?

While in some cases nearly identical to casual, 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

When is it sensible to use fortuitous instead of casual?

Although the words fortuitous and casual have much in common, fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of casual Johansson donned a form-fitting pink dress while co-star Bailey kept it casual and reminiscent of the ’90s — when Jurassic Park first released — in a cap and blazer. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025 Levi's Mid Length Shorts No summer closet is complete without a reliable pair of shorts, and this pair from Levi’s can be styled with your favorite T-shirt, blouse, or tank top for casual outings or fun date nights. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 17 June 2025 Both houses will include NETFLIX BITES, a casual restaurant with food and craft cocktails playing on popular Netflix stories and characters, as well as a shop featuring exclusive merch that will update regularly. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 June 2025 The woman’s friend and the casual man spend time every few weeks, play pool, and text daily. Stephanie Guerilus, People.com, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for casual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for casual
Adjective
  • This reality underscores a broader truth: In the Islamic Republic, legal texts often mask the informal mechanisms that truly govern political life.
    Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
  • The partnership was a crash course for them both: an informal academy with a class roster of two.
    Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Investigators ruled Coleman's death as accidental shortly after the incident in 2010.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 17 June 2025
  • Learn how to use gym equipment properly to avoid accidental injuries, if gym equipment is a part of your routine.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Actress January Jones channeled Isabel Marant’s nonchalant French-girl style by wearing an oversized sweater and cutoff jean shorts to a dinner hosted by the designer.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 June 2025
  • The partnership marks a stylistic evolution for White, who previously channeled classic Americana and nonchalant cool in campaigns for Calvin Klein.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Iran needs nuclear energy to meet the demands of its growing population; sporadic blackouts are already commonplace.
    Robin Wright, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • It’s sparked protests, vandalism and sporadic clashes with police that prompted President Trump to send military troops to downtown L.A., sparking questions over state rights.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Maxo, on Mars Is Electric, also tinkers with his vocals more than ever, often pitching his voice up to make his everyday fears and anxieties a little distorted and conversational.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
  • Myricks says shimmer is no longer a niche element of party makeup—it’s become everyday elegance.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Allegedly set between Episode III and IV, with some occasional flashback episodes, the series would delve into aspects of the Star Wars universe that hadn't been explored before, such as different criminal factions operating across Coruscant.
    Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 28 June 2025
  • Colorado and Arizona State offer little more than an occasional flash.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • In that light, the sudden uptick in volatility is not a surprise.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 18 June 2025
  • Medical emergencies can also lead to sudden itinerary changes.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • That amounts to success through delay—a repeatable outcome, sustained through intermittent precision attacks.
    David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Despite the relentless pre-match hype montages, intermittent deluges of FIFA self-congratulation and the blasting of Robbie Williams’ hilariously self-parodic tournament theme song at half-time.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Casual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/casual. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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