Synonyms of casual

casual

adjective

ˈkazh-wəl 

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

• informal
• everyday
• relaxed
• workaday
• sporty
• sloppy
• slovenly
• dégagé
• shabby
• unkempt
• dressed down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• formal
• dressy
• best
• elegant
• Sunday
• fashionable
• chic
• stylish
• noncasual
• smart
• neat
• tidy
• trim
• dressed up
• semiformal

2

as in accidental

happening by chance

a casual meeting with the next-door neighbors on a beach in Hawaii

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accidental
• unexpected
• chance
• incidental
• inadvertent
• unintentional
• unplanned
• unpremeditated
• unintended
• unwitting
• fortuitous
• odd
• random
• flukey
• arbitrary
• haphazard
• coincidental
• aimless
• fluky
• desultory
• uncertain
• freak
• unforeseen
• unforeseeable
• involuntary
• unconscious
• forced
• unprompted
• coerced

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deliberate
• intentional
• intended
• premeditated
• planned
• calculated
• certain
• predictable
• inevitable
• sure
• set
• foreseeable
• fixed
• premeditative
• expected
• destined
• conscious
• prescribed
• prepense
• voluntary
• predetermined
• foreseen
• wilful
• volunteer
• willful
• knowing
• unforced
• preordained
• predestined
• foreordained
• freewill

3

as in nonchalant

having or showing a lack of interest or concern

only a casual examination of the bicycle before buying it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nonchalant
• careless
• uninterested
• disinterested
• perfunctory
• detached
• indifferent
• insouciant
• unconcerned
• apathetic
• complacent
• stoic
• incurious
• calm
• uncurious
• cold
• aloof
• pococurante
• numb
• insensible
• halfhearted
• dispassionate
• unemotional
• remote
• tepid
• callous
• lukewarm
• cool
• insensitive
• mindless
• stoical
• heedless
• phlegmatic
• unfeeling
• stolid
• listless
• lethargic
• impassive
• impervious
• hard-hearted
• unimpressed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interested
• aware
• concerned
• conscientious
• attentive
• mindful
• sensitive
• warm
• passionate
• ardent
• zealous
• fervent
• heedful
• keen
• caring
• warmhearted

4

as in sporadic

lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence

a casual attendance at their son's hockey games

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sporadic
• occasional
• sudden
• intermittent
• violent
• irregular
• erratic
• unpredictable
• episodic
• unsteady
• discontinuous
• episodical
• spastic
• fitful
• spasmodic
• catchy
• volatile
• spotty
• aperiodic
• choppy
• random
• haphazard
• aimless
• changing
• scattered
• interrupted
• changeful
• varying
• odd
• desultory
• arbitrary
• fragmentary
• disconnected
• uncertain
• convulsive
• broken
• stray
• unstable
• slapdash
• capricious
• unsettled
• variable
• mercurial
• hit-or-miss
• fluid
• inconstant
• hit-and-miss
• mutable
• changeable
• fluctuating
• fickle
• temperamental
• wavering
• flickery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regular
• continuous
• constant
• habitual
• periodic
• steady
• uniform
• stable
• stationary
• repeated
• even
• systematic
• unchanging
• methodical
• orderly
• equable
• changeless
• unvarying
• unrelenting
• unwavering
• methodic
• unremitting

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

Recent Examples of casual

Jim noted that the casual dining chain’s stock has come down a bit since closing at almost $200 in late May. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 June 2025

The kitchen is bright and inviting, with a balcony that opens to the backyard and plenty of space for casual meals or entertaining. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 June 2025

Pair it with sneakers, sandals, flats, and more for a casual yet stylish everyday look. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 19 June 2025

Will some casual fans who used to flip on a game at random drop off? —Alex Sherman, CNBC, 19 June 2025