a casual acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a casual acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone you know slightly or informally, without a close relationship. Example: "At the party, I ran into a casual acquaintance from college, and we exchanged pleasantries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

You have the books, the interview, even a casual acquaintance with the subject, I reminded myself.

The New York Times

His relationship with the game was never more than a casual acquaintance.

The New York Times

"Had it been a casual acquaintance," his brother said, "he would have done the same thing.

The New York Times

The person who wrote the post was a casual acquaintance I hadn't seen in twenty years.

The New Yorker

Williams had one friend in this world, Mollie, a casual acquaintance who earns her living walking the streets.

The New Yorker

Then again, she was single at the time, so if announcing this made it easier for a casual acquaintance to make a connection, she didn't mind.

The New York Times

It turned out that none of the marines had ever been near a mule before; only one had even a casual acquaintance with a horse.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Turn an acquaintance or a casual friend into a closer friend by taking the time to chat.

WikiHow

If she is a more casual acquaintance and you are not sure how comfortable she would be with you using her first name, use her surname.

WikiHow

If you're simply writing a letter to a friend or casual acquaintance, you may want to skip the pretense of a formal header.

WikiHow

It revealed that 91percentt of men over 50 did not use a condom when they had sex with a date or casual acquaintance, and 70percentt didn't use condoms with a sex partner they had just met.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing social circles or networks, use "a casual acquaintance" to accurately represent individuals you know without a deep or meaningful connection.

Common error

Avoid referring to someone as a close friend when they are merely "a casual acquaintance". It's important to accurately represent the depth of your relationships to avoid miscommunication or false impressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a casual acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition to describe a person known in a non-intimate, informal way. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a casual acquaintance" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone you know, but not closely. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting its frequent appearance in news, media, and wiki sources. While a versatile phrase, it's crucial to accurately represent the nature of your relationships by avoiding overstating their depth. Alternatives like "a slight acquaintance" or "a passing acquaintance" may offer more precise descriptions depending on the context. Using the phrase correctly enhances clarity and avoids miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight acquaintance

Indicates an even weaker connection than "a casual acquaintance", emphasizing minimal interaction.

a passing acquaintance

Highlights the fleeting nature of the relationship, suggesting brief encounters.

a nodding acquaintance

Emphasizes a level of familiarity where people only acknowledge each other with a nod.

a superficial acquaintance

Focuses on the lack of depth in the relationship, implying a connection only on the surface.

a distant acquaintance

Stresses the emotional or social distance between the individuals.

a former acquaintance

Specifies that the relationship existed in the past but no longer continues.

an informal contact

Focuses on the lack of structure or formality in the relationship.

a loose connection

Highlights the weak or tenuous nature of the bond between people.

a friendly stranger

Implies a positive but still undeveloped relationship, someone you might see regularly but don't know well.

someone I barely know

Explicitly states the limited knowledge one has about the other person.

FAQs

How can I use "a casual acquaintance" in a sentence?

You can use "a casual acquaintance" to describe someone you know on a superficial level. For instance, "I bumped into /s/an+old+classmate, just a casual acquaintance, at the grocery store".

What are some alternatives to "a casual acquaintance"?

Alternatives include "a slight acquaintance", "a passing acquaintance", or "a superficial acquaintance", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to ask "a casual acquaintance" for a favor?

It depends on the nature of the favor. Small, simple requests might be acceptable, but avoid asking for significant assistance from "a casual acquaintance".

What's the difference between "a casual acquaintance" and a friend?

A friend is someone you have a closer, more meaningful relationship with, while "a casual acquaintance" is someone you know on a more superficial level with less personal interaction and shared experiences.