casual
Designed for informal or everyday use.
Word facts
Definition of Casual
Coming without regularity; occasional or incidental.
Example sentences
He changed into casual clothes after a long day at work.
The party has a casual dress code, so jeans are fine.
Using Casual well
A closer look at how casual is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Relaxed, informal, and not planned or serious.
Use it for a laid-back tone, clothing, or manner, or for things done without much planning or commitment. It carries an easygoing, unforced feel opposite to formal or deliberate.
Dress codes, everyday conversation about tone and attitude, employment ('casual work'), and descriptions of relaxed relationships or plans.
Do not confuse 'casual' with 'causal': 'causal' relates to cause and effect, while 'casual' means relaxed or informal.
- informal
- Neutral and slightly more formal-sounding itself; focuses on the absence of strict rules rather than a relaxed mood.
- relaxed
- Emphasises a calm, easy feeling; less about rules or dress and more about atmosphere or attitude.
- offhand
- Often mildly negative; suggests casual to the point of seeming careless or dismissive.
- nonchalant
- Stresses a studied, cool lack of concern; more about attitude and composure than dress or setting.
- Beginner He wore casual clothes, just jeans and a T-shirt.
- In writing The email had a casual tone, as if she were chatting with a friend.
- Advanced His casual shrug hid how carefully he had rehearsed the answer.
'Casual' sounds like 'casually strolling'; picture an unhurried, relaxed walk with no dress code.
Synonyms for Casual
Related words
Words closely connected to Casual in meaning or use:
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does casual mean?
Designed for informal or everyday use. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does casual have?
Casual has 3 syllables: ka·zhuh·wuhl. The word is broken into 3 spoken beats.
What part of speech is casual?
Casual is used as an adjective. As a noun, it names a thing, idea, or concept.
What are synonyms for casual?
Words with similar meanings to casual include insouciant, light, nonchalant, perfunctory. The best synonym depends on the exact context you are writing or reading in.
How do you use casual in a sentence?
Example: "He changed into casual clothes after a long day at work."