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casually

 - 4 dictionary results

cas⋅u⋅al

  [kazh-oo-uhl]
Use casually in a Sentence
–adjective
1. happening by chance; fortuitous: a casual meeting.
2. without definite or serious intention; careless or offhand; passing: a casual remark.
3. seeming or tending to be indifferent to what is happening; apathetic; unconcerned: a casual, nonchalant air.
4. appropriate for wear or use on informal occasions; not dressy: casual clothes; casual wear.
5. irregular; occasional: a casual visitor.
6. accidental: a casual mishap.
7. Obsolete. uncertain.
–noun
8. a worker employed only irregularly.
9. a soldier temporarily at a station or other place of duty, and usually en route to another station.
Origin:
1325–75; ME < L cāsuālis, equiv. to cāsu(s) case 1 + -ālis -al 1 ; r. ME casuel < MF < L as above

Related forms:
cas⋅u⋅al⋅ly, adverb
cas⋅u⋅al⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. unexpected, fortuitous, unforeseen. See accidental. 5. random.

Antonyms:
1. planned.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To casually
ca·su·al   (kāzh'ōō-əl)   
adj.  

  1. Occurring by chance. See Synonyms at chance.

    1. Occurring at irregular or infrequent intervals; occasional: casual employment at a factory; a casual correspondence with a former teacher.

    2. Unpremeditated; offhand: a casual remark.

    3. Being without ceremony or formality; relaxed: a casual evening with friends.

    4. Suited for everyday wear or use; informal.

    5. Showing little interest or concern; nonchalant: a casual disregard for cold weather.

    6. Lenient; permissive: a casual attitude toward drugs.

    1. Being without ceremony or formality; relaxed: a casual evening with friends.

    2. Suited for everyday wear or use; informal.

    3. Showing little interest or concern; nonchalant: a casual disregard for cold weather.

    4. Lenient; permissive: a casual attitude toward drugs.

  4. Not serious or thorough; superficial: a casual inspection.

    1. Showing little interest or concern; nonchalant: a casual disregard for cold weather.

    2. Lenient; permissive: a casual attitude toward drugs.

  6. Not close or intimate; passing: a casual acquaintance with avant-garde music.

n.  

  1. One that serves or appears at irregular intervals, especially a temporary worker.

  2. casuals Casualwear: sent my casuals to the cleaners.

  3. A soldier temporarily attached to a unit while awaiting permanent assignment.


[Middle English casuel, from Old French, from Latin cāsuālis, from cāsus, event; see case1.]
ca'su·al·ly adv., ca'su·al·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

casual 
c.1374, "subject to or produced by chance," from O.Fr. casuel, from L.L. casualis "by chance," from L. casus "chance, event" (see case (1)). Of persons, in the sense of "not to be depended on, unmethodical," it is attested from 1883. Casualty in the modern military sense is 1844, from the word's older sense of "accident" (1423).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ca·su·al
Function: adjective
1 a : not expected or foreseen b : not done purposefully : ACCIDENTAL
2 a : employed for irregular periods casual worker> b : engaging in an activity on an occasional basis casual seller>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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