Casual


happening by chance; fortuitous:
a casual meeting.
without definite or serious intention; careless or offhand; passing:
a casual remark.
seeming or tending to be indifferent to what is happening; apathetic; unconcerned:
a casual, nonchalant air.
without emotional intimacy or commitment:
casual sex.
appropriate for wear or use on informal occasions; not dressy:
casual clothes; casual wear.
irregular; occasional:
a casual visitor.
accidental:
a casual mishap.
noting or relating to video games that do not require much skill or time commitment, or noting a player of such games:
casual gamers.
Compare hard-core (def 6).
Obsolete. uncertain.
a worker employed only irregularly.
a soldier temporarily at a station or other place of duty, and usually en route to another station.
Usually Disparaging. a person who plays video games that do not require much skill or time commitment.
Contemporary Examples

But the atmosphere was casual, and editors were encouraged to circulate around the showroom after the show.
Tom Ford Presentation: London Fashion Week Fall Winter 2012 Isabel Wilkinson February 18, 2012

The GOP lambasted the president for being too aloof and casual about leaks that endanger national security.
Stop Calling Obama Aloof! Paul Begala May 19, 2013

He was not a man given to casual affectionate display; the moment was charged with emotion.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days David Freeman December 12, 2014

The gala is less of a traditional awards show and more of a Hollywood love fest—the most casual coming together of the season.
Let the Awards Season Begin Rachel Syme January 6, 2009

His most striking phrase was also chilling in its casual camaraderie with the beyond.
Obama’s Dangerous Obsession Lee Siegel November 13, 2009

Historical Examples

But under the seething surface—first visible to the casual glance—was a substratum as pure as it was solid and unyielding.
Four Years in Rebel Capitals T. C. DeLeon

Every day I meet men who tell the most wonderful stories in the most casual way.
Ballads of a Bohemian Robert W. Service

Her temper was even, and her nature was finer than her prim, priggish ways would have led the casual acquaintance to suppose.
When Grandmamma Was New Marion Harland

His large voice was modulated to kindliness as he spoke in a casual manner.
Within the Law Marvin Dana

Yet this largest of channel ports, in its present state, can show the casual passer-by much that is interesting.
Cavalry of the Clouds Alan Bott

adjective
happening by accident or chance: a casual meeting
offhand; not premeditated: a casual remark
shallow or superficial: a casual affair
being or seeming unconcerned or apathetic: he assumed a casual attitude
(esp of dress) for informal wear: a casual coat
occasional or irregular: casual visits, a casual labourer
(biology) another term for adventive
noun
(usually pl) an informal article of clothing or footwear
an occasional worker
(biology) another term for an adventive
(usually pl) a young man dressed in expensive casual clothes who goes to football matches in order to start fights
adj.

late 14c., “subject to or produced by chance,” from Middle French casuel (15c.), from Late Latin casualis “by chance,” from Latin casus “chance, occasion, opportunity; accident, event” (see case (n.1)).

Of persons, in the sense of “not to be depended on, unmethodical,” it is attested from 1883; meaning “showing lack of interest” is from 1916. Of clothes, “informal,” from 1939. Related: Casually.

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    noun in golf, water that has accumulated temporarily and is not a recognized course hazard Historical Examples If a ball lie in casual water on a putting-green, a ball may be placed by hand behind the water without penalty. The Complete Golfer [1905] Harry Vardon By the way, I ought to warn you that this […]


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