I. ˈkazh-wəl, ˈka-zhə-wəl, ˈka-zhəl 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
II. noun
Date: circa 1852
1. : a casual or migratory worker
2. : an officer or enlisted person awaiting assignment or transportation to a unit