Definition of casualnext
1
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 One of the best ways to form those connections is through casual conversation, or small talk. Cnbc Make It Staff, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2026 Grab a casual lunch or dinner at Barrow Brewing Company and the adjacent food trucks. Lauren Jones, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2026 La Rueda de Candombe began as a casual jam session between friends, but has rapidly evolved into one of Uruguay’s most talked-about musical events, going from local street corners in the capital to the Cannes Film Festival. ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026 Securing this level of acoustic engineering for 42% off is a massive win for purists and casual listeners alike. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for casual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for casual
Adjective
  • In South Africa the Singita Lowveld Trust and AndBeyond’s Wild Impact teamed up to launch the Hustle Economy, a program that identifies and mentors community members with micro-enterprises such as spaza shops, hair-care services, jewelry retail, and informal eateries.
    Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026
  • In an email, Roberts said Foster played no formal or informal role in linking him to the player.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The second episode of Euphoria’s third season finds Rue basking in the glow of God’s favor and settling into her new life working for the strip-club proprietor Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), who tasks her with scooping pig slop and covering up evidence of a dancer’s accidental overdose.
    Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Photographer Hoda Afshar recalls the image as something almost accidental.
    Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This approach not only simplifies your daily routine but also enhances the haircut's nonchalant vibe, quintessential to French style.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Fagen’s nonchalant cameo, though, got the Steely Dan community in a tizzy.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After a sporadic and drawn-out campaign of vague teasers for a new album called Iceman, the rarely understated rapper unveiled a stack of frozen bricks at 81 Bond Street yesterday (April 20), promising that the release date is hidden inside.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 21 Apr. 2026
  • There are also sporadic blooms throughout the summer months.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • It gets turned into chemicals, waxes, oils and other mixtures that appear in a vast array of everyday items, including most made with plastic and rubber.
    Anne D’Innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Seeing these small, everyday birds so closely reminds me that nature’s diversity is still all around us, and that paying attention is the first step toward protecting it.
    PhotoVogue, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Shopping, dining, and entertainment are on tap at the village-like Shops at Kukuiʻula, where residents will find boutiques with upscale global brands as well as island designers, fine dining restaurants and casual eateries, weekly farmers markets, and occasional live music.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
  • All that tinkering did not yield clean sheets; nor did the occasional switches to a back five, against Arsenal in the League Cup, Wrexham in the FA Cup and at Brighton in the league.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The sudden departure comes just a day after Phelan addressed a large crowd of sailors and industry professionals at the Navy’s annual conference in Washington, and spoke with reporters about his agenda.
    Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Now, however, a study published today in Nature is challenging this sedate view, suggesting instead that the solar system’s first solids stormed into being much faster from sudden temperature shifts in the disk’s turbulent maelstrom.
    Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Burke spoke only to consent to intermittent interruptions of his preliminary hearing, allowing the court to address other pending matters.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
  • On the menu are cryotherapy chambers, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen sessions, intermittent hypoxic training, and vacuum therapy—all geared towards cellular recovery and holistic well-being.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Casual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/casual. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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