Search

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

What would the Bachelor mansion be with a hot tub or two casually waiting around the corner at any given moment?
‘The Bachelorette’ Premiere: ‘The Bachelor’ Franchise by the Numbers Anna Klassen May 27, 2013

“Yeah, Sammy got covered up,” was the way they casually referred to it.
How Miners Talk About Death Jeanne Marie Laskas April 8, 2010

During his call-in show, by the way, he casually admitted that they were, in fact, Russian soldiers.
Why Snowden’s ‘Challenge’ to Putin on Russian Surveillance Doesn’t Matter Cathy Young April 19, 2014

Many mercenaries slaughtered their way to power, casually betraying even close family to secure their fortunes.
Great Renaissance Art Thrived Amid Filth Nick Romeo December 2, 2014

This is a serious drug that can have serious consequences when used too casually.
Could a Daily Aspirin Be Deadly? Arthur Agatston, M.D. February 22, 2010

Historical Examples

One of them, quite thoughtlessly and casually, observed, “Perhaps it is a dog.”
The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe Ernest Young

With something very like a snort Roger asks, ‘How does one say a thing like that casually?’
Echoes of the War J. M. Barrie

He may casually inform you that, if he is not in London himself, the explanation is that he has reasons for preferring Bursley.
Tales of the Five Towns Arnold Bennett

Then, the shorter man said, casually, addressing his remarks to nobody in particular.
Louisiana Lou William West Winter

“I guess you’re disappointed because the test has been called off,” he said casually.
By Proxy Gordon Randall Garrett

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.