casual
KAZHUHL
Casual (adj) means Relaxed and informal, especially in style, manner, or dress. Example: “We chose a casual restaurant where nobody minded jeans and trainers.”
adj
1
Relaxed and informal, especially in style, manner, or dress.
"We chose a casual restaurant where nobody minded jeans and trainers."
"The office has a casual dress code on Fridays."
"She gave a casual shrug and changed the subject."
2
Happening occasionally or without a fixed pattern; not regular or permanent.
"She found casual work at a café, with no regular hours."
"Casual staff are called in only when the shop is busy."
"He worked casual shifts at the warehouse over the summer."
noun
1
A worker employed irregularly rather than as a permanent staff member.
"Several casuals were called in to cover the Christmas rush at the shop."
"Because she is a casual, she is paid only for the hours she works."
"The cafe hires casuals during the busy tourist season."
How to use casual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelaxed and informal, or (for work) irregular and not permanent.
Common pairings
casual clothes
casual work
casual attitude
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Word forms
- Plural
- casuals
- Comparative
- more casual
- Superlative
- most casual
Fill the gap
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We chose a _____ restaurant where nobody minded jeans and trainers.
Etymology
From Old French casuel, from Latin casualis, "happening by chance," from casus, "an event" — the same root as "case" and "cadence."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for casual
See all rhymes for casual →Frequently asked questions
What does “casual” mean?
The word “casual” means relaxed and informal, especially in style, manner, or dress. In plain terms, relaxed and informal, or (for work) irregular and not permanent.
How do you pronounce “casual”?
“Casual” is pronounced KAZHUHL (/ˈkæʒ(u)əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “casual” in a sentence?
Here is “casual” used in a sentence: “The office has a casual dress code on Fridays.”
What part of speech is “casual”?
Depending on how it is used, “casual” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “casual” come from?
The word “casual” comes from Latin. From Old French casuel, from Latin casualis, "happening by chance," from casus, "an event" — the same root as "case" and "cadence.".
Is “casual” a common word?
“Casual” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “casual” have?
“Casual” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relaxed and informal, especially in style, manner, or dress.
What is the difference between 'casual' and 'formal'?
Casual describes a relaxed, informal style, manner, or dress, while formal describes something following strict rules or conventions. A casual outfit might be jeans and a T-shirt, whereas formal wear follows a dress code, such as a suit or evening dress.
What is the difference between 'casual' and 'informal'?
The two words overlap and both mean relaxed and not strict. Casual often stresses ease and a lack of effort or planning, while informal simply means not official or ceremonial, so an informal meeting can still be businesslike even if it is not casual in tone.
What words commonly follow 'casual'?
Casual is often followed by nouns like wear, clothing, dress, conversation, glance, acquaintance, and labour. The phrase 'smart casual' describes a dress code that is relaxed but still neat, sitting between casual and formal.
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