n.
Pronunciation: ' kazh-w ə l, ' ka-zh ə -w ə l, ' ka-zh ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French casuel, from Late Latin casualis, from Latin casus fall, chance ― more at CASE
Date: 14th century
1 : subject to, resulting from, or occurring by chance <a casual meeting>
2 a : occurring without regularity : OCCASIONAL < casual employment> b : employed for irregular periods <a casual worker> c : met with on occasion and known only superficially <a casual friend>
3 a (1) : feeling or showing little concern : NONCHALANT <a casual approach to cooking> (2) : lacking a high degree of interest or devotion < casual sports fans> < casual readers> (3) : done without serious intent or commitment < casual sex> b (1) : INFORMAL , NATURAL <a casual conversation> (2) : designed for informal use < casual clothing>
synonyms see ACCIDENTAL , RANDOM
– ca · su · al · ly adverb
– ca · su · al · ness noun