casual

casual — adjective

1. describing clothes that are comfortable, simple, and meant for everyday wear rat

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing clothes that are comfortable, simple, and meant for everyday wear rather than formal events or business settings

Example

The wedding invitation said guests could wear casual clothes like jeans and a shirt.

casual clothes + specific examples (jeans and a shirt)

Priya changed into a casual summer dress after her job interview finished.

Common collocations
  • casual clothes
  • casual wear
  • casual dress
  • casual look
  • casual shoes
  • casual style
  • casual shirt
  • casual Friday
Synonyms
  • informal

    the closest synonym, used interchangeably for clothes and settings

  • comfortable

    focuses on the feeling of the clothes rather than the dress code

  • relaxed

    describes the atmosphere or style rather than specific clothing items

Antonyms
  • formal

    the direct opposite — worn for official or special occasions

  • smart

    British English; describes neat, slightly formal clothing

Common Mistakes

She wore a casual dress to the gala.
She wore a formal dress to the gala.
'casual' means not formal; for a very formal event like a gala, 'casual' is the wrong choice.
I need some casual shoes for the wedding.
I need some formal shoes for the wedding.
if a wedding has a formal dress code, 'casual' shoes would not be suitable.

2. showing little concern, effort, or emotional involvement — often suggesting that

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

showing little concern, effort, or emotional involvement — often suggesting that someone appears relaxed about something that others find important

Example

Yusuf gave a casual shrug when asked about missing the deadline.

casual shrug — typical body language for unconcerned attitude

Her casual tone during the meeting made the team think she did not care.

Common collocations
  • casual attitude
  • casual tone
  • casual voice
  • casual remark
  • casual comment
  • casual shrug
  • casual about something
Synonyms
  • nonchalant

    similar meaning but slightly more formal; suggests calm confidence rather than disinterest

  • unconcerned

    stronger focus on lack of worry; may sound more negative

  • offhand

    describes remarks or comments that seem unprepared or dismissive

  • blasé

    suggests boredom with something others find exciting; slightly more negative

Antonyms
  • concerned

    showing interest and worry about something important

  • serious

    treating something with the attention and effort it deserves

  • attentive

    paying careful attention to details

Usage Note

Often carries a critical tone — describing someone's attitude or behaviour as 'casual' in a situation that demands seriousness implies disapproval. The subject is typically a person's manner, voice, comment, or attitude, not their clothing.

Common Mistakes

He was very casual about the exam, so he studied hard.
He was very casual about the exam, so he did not study much.
being 'casual' about something means you are relaxed and not very interested, which leads to less effort, not more.

3. used only for a short period of time, without a fixed schedule or formal arrange

3.adjectiveC2
Definition

used only for a short period of time, without a fixed schedule or formal arrangement — describes work, employment, or relationships that are not permanent or regular

Example

During the summer, the hotel hires casual workers to clean rooms and serve meals.

collocation: casual workers / casual labour

Ravi found casual employment at a warehouse while looking for a full-time job.

Common collocations
  • casual worker
  • casual labour
  • casual employment
  • casual staff
  • casual job
  • casual acquaintance
  • casual visitor
  • casual user
Synonyms
  • temporary

    more general term; 'casual' implies less formal arrangement than 'temporary'

  • occasional

    focuses on happening from time to time, not on lack of formality

  • part-time

    specifically about fewer hours per week; 'casual' work may be full-time but irregular

Antonyms
  • permanent

    lasting or intended to last indefinitely

  • regular

    following a fixed schedule or pattern

  • full-time

    working a standard number of hours each week

Usage Note

Used only before a noun. Common in employment contexts ('casual worker', 'casual labour', 'casual staff') where it contrasts with 'permanent' or 'full-time'. Also describes relationships ('casual acquaintance') that are not close or regular.

Common Mistakes

I have a casual job at the bank, working from 9 to 5 every day.
I have a casual job at the bank, working a few days each month.
'casual' work means irregular, not full-time or fixed.
They are casual friends who talk every day.
They are casual acquaintances who meet occasionally.
'casual' here means not regular or close, so daily contact contradicts the meaning.

4. happening without being planned, intended, or prepared — often used to describe

4.adjectiveB2
Definition

happening without being planned, intended, or prepared — often used to describe meetings, remarks, observations, or actions that occur by chance rather than through deliberate effort

Example

A casual remark from a neighbour gave Wen the idea to start a community garden.

collocation: casual remark / casual comment

Beatriz ran into an old classmate during a casual stroll through the park.

Common collocations
  • casual remark
  • casual comment
  • casual conversation
  • casual glance
  • casual observer
  • casual encounter
  • casual meeting
  • casual stroll
  • casual check
Synonyms
  • unplanned

    direct synonym; focuses purely on lack of intention

  • accidental

    stronger — suggests something happened by mistake, not just without planning

  • offhand

    describes remarks made without preparation, often seeming dismissive

  • incidental

    more formal; describes something that happens as a minor side-effect

Antonyms
  • planned

    arranged or intended in advance

  • deliberate

    done consciously and intentionally

  • thorough

    carried out with great care and attention to detail

Usage Note

Used only before a noun. Unlike sense 2 (NOT INTERESTED), this sense does not imply a lack of care — the focus is on lack of planning or intention. A 'casual remark' may be thoughtful but unplanned; a 'casual glance' is brief and unintentional.

Common Mistakes

The detective made a casual investigation of the crime scene.
The detective made a thorough investigation of the crime scene.
'casual' means not done in a serious or planned way; detective work requires the opposite.
I wrote a casual report for my boss about the project.
I wrote a detailed report for my boss about the project.
a report is expected to be thorough; 'casual' suggests insufficient care.

Word family

  • casually
    adverbB2
  • casualness
    nounC1
  • casualization
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Casual' and 'informal' are the closest pair — both describe clothing that is not suitable for official or special occasions. 'Informal' is the broader term: an informal gathering can happen at any dress level, while 'casual' specifically points to the clothing or atmosphere being simple and unstuffy. 'Relaxed' focuses more on the feeling than the rule: a 'relaxed dress code' means nobody will enforce a strict standard, but it does not necessarily mean jeans are acceptable the way 'casual' does. 'Comfortable' describes how the clothes feel on the body rather than the social expectation — baggy joggers can be comfortable but may look too sloppy even for a casual workplace. In conversation: 'The invitation says casual dress, so wear jeans and a nice top' versus 'The party is informal, so you do not need a tie but a blazer would still be fine.'

informal ↗casual ↗relaxed ↗comfortable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • casual dress code
  • casual Friday
  • casual relationship
  • casual basis

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'casual' entered English in the late 14th century from Old French 'casuel', meaning 'accidental' or 'occurring by chance'. The French word came from Latin 'casualis', which was formed from 'casus' meaning 'fall' or 'event' — itself from 'cadere' (to fall). The idea was that something that 'falls' happens without plan. By the 1500s, the meaning expanded from 'accidental' to 'unplanned' and then to 'informal'. The employment sense ('casual worker') developed in the late 1800s in Britain, and the clothing sense ('casual wear') became common in the mid-1900s as social dress codes relaxed.