nonchalant
7 synonyms and 4 antonyms for nonchalant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Calm, relaxed, and seemingly unbothered by something that might normally cause concern.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use nonchalant
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a nonchalant shrug
stay nonchalant
nonchalant attitude
Etymology
From French nonchalant, built from non- ("not") and Latin calere ("to be warm") — literally, "not warming up" about something.
Full origin of nonchalant →Frequently asked questions
What does “nonchalant” mean?
The word “nonchalant” means calm, relaxed, and seemingly unbothered by something that might normally cause concern. In plain terms, acting cool, casual, and unconcerned, even when a situation might call for more reaction.
How do you pronounce “nonchalant”?
“Nonchalant” is pronounced NON-shuhl-uhnt (/ˌnɑn.ʃəˈlɑnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “nonchalant” in a sentence?
Here is “nonchalant” used in a sentence: “He gave a nonchalant shrug when asked about the missed deadline.”
What is another word for “nonchalant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nonchalant” include cool, mellow, easygoing, carefree and unconcerned.
What is the opposite of “nonchalant”?
The opposite of “nonchalant” — its antonyms — are careful, attentive, concerned and chalant.
What part of speech is “nonchalant”?
“Nonchalant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “nonchalant” come from?
The word “nonchalant” comes from Latin. From French nonchalant, built from non- ("not") and Latin calere ("to be warm") — literally, "not warming up" about something.
