casual

Everyday

1. Casual clothes are relaxed, comfortable everyday clothes, not smart or formal ones. tree →
2. Casual means relaxed and not seeming to care much or not making an effort: a casual wave, a casual chat. tree →
3. Casual can mean happening by chance or without a plan: a casual meeting. tree →
4. A casual job or worker is one that is not regular or permanent, done only now and then. tree →
5. (UK, slang) A «casual» can be a member of a football fan group known for wearing designer clothes; and «casual» (gaming slang) is a player who plays just for fun. tree →
6. Casual can describe a person you know only slightly, such as a casual neighbour. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life «casual» describes clothes and mood: non-uniform day is a casual day, «smart casual» is a dress code. In stories it shows a character trying to look relaxed: «He gave a casual shrug, but his heart was pounding.» Phrases: casual clothes, dress-down / casual Friday, smart casual, a casual job, casual remark, casual gamer, casually.

Examples

• We can wear casual clothes on Friday for charity. tree →
• She tried to sound casual, but she was really nervous. tree →
• It was just a casual chat at the bus stop. tree →
• Dad has a casual job at the market on Saturdays. tree →
• He gave a casual wave as he walked past. tree →
• The party is casual, so jeans are fine. tree →
• I'm only a casual gamer; I play on weekends. tree →
• A casual remark can still hurt someone's feelings. tree →

Note

Adjective: casual, more casual, most casual; adverb «casually» (She walked casually away). Pronounced «KAZH-yoo-ul». Do not confuse with «causal» (about cause, as in cause and effect) — the letters u and a are swapped. Also do not confuse with «casualty» (a person hurt or killed in an accident or war; in the UK also the hospital emergency department).