casually
KA-zhoor-lee
Casually (adv) means In a relaxed, informal, or offhand manner. Example: “He casually mentioned that he'd met the CEO.”
adv
1
In a relaxed, informal, or offhand manner.
"He casually mentioned that he'd met the CEO."
"She dressed casually for the weekend trip."
"She casually tossed her keys on the table and sat down."
How to use casually
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something in a relaxed, unforced, or offhand way.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more casually
- Superlative
- most casually
Fill the gap
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He _____ mentioned that he'd met the CEO.
Etymology
From casual plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for casually
See all rhymes for casually →Frequently asked questions
What does “casually” mean?
The word “casually” means in a relaxed, informal, or offhand manner. In plain terms, doing something in a relaxed, unforced, or offhand way.
How do you pronounce “casually”?
“Casually” is pronounced KA-zhoor-lee (/ˈkæʒuəli/ in IPA).
How do you use “casually” in a sentence?
Here is “casually” used in a sentence: “He casually mentioned that he'd met the CEO.”
What part of speech is “casually”?
“Casually” is an adverb.
Is “casually” a common word?
“Casually” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between casually and formally?
Casually describes acting in a relaxed, informal, or offhand manner, while formally implies following established rules, etiquette, or seriousness. Someone dressed casually is dressed informally, whereas someone dressed formally follows a stricter, more traditional standard.
When should you use casually instead of formally in writing?
Use casually when describing relaxed, low-stakes actions or tone, such as casual conversation or dress, and reserve formally for contexts requiring precision, structure, or official procedure.
Can casually describe both actions and speech?
Yes, casually can modify both physical actions, such as dressing or walking casually, and manner of speech, such as mentioning something casually in an offhand way.
