casual

USAGE SUMMARY

'casual' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a person's clothing or behavior. For example: "He wore a casual shirt and jeans to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Lifestyle

Opinion

Music

Tech

Sport

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was very casual.

The New York Times

Display account manager We are seeking an exceptional display account manager with substantial agency sales experience within the digital media environment to join our Sydney team Developer - casual We are looking for an experienced developer to join our studio team in Sydney on a casual basis for a period of 2 months.

The Guardian

They were casual acquaintances as teenagers but got to know each other properly when Vincent joined Holman's band Bareface.

The Guardian - Music

Walking down Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street late on Friday evening, the casual observer would find little amiss; not much to suggest that Moscow's trajectory over recent years, of broader consumer options and improving quality of life for the new urban middle class, was not continuing as before.

The Guardian

News Corp's four major mastheads, the Tele, the Herald Sun, the Courier-Mail and the Advertiser, all have paywalls but are still allowing casual readers to access a lot of free content.

The Guardian

Incidentally, Crumb and his colleagues and backers aren't positioning their business as a way to speculate on gold prices, although even a casual glance at the company's stock price suggests that's precisely how some of their investors view it.

The Guardian - Money

And when you get home it will be a while before you forget the casual whoop of the tree frogs at nightfall or the magnificent flamboyant trees with their thick, confident branches and shocking red-feather tops.

The Guardian - Travel

And it is the significance of clothing in relation to a specific culture that makes me uncomfortable with the casual adoption of traditional attire for "an occasion".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There would be no time for casual sex with French supermodels.

The Guardian - Travel

That transient global amnesia has much in common with a casual dream, when we become something else to protect us from real life.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fortunately, for the casual observer at least, this election night leant heavily on horror.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing attire, use "casual" to indicate comfortable and informal clothing suitable for everyday wear or relaxed settings.

Common error

Avoid using "casual" to describe situations that require a high degree of formality or seriousness; opt for terms like "informal" or "relaxed" instead to avoid sounding disrespectful or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "casual" primarily functions as a modifier, describing the characteristics of a noun. It specifies qualities such as informality, randomness, or lack of planning. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use and acceptance in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Opinion

7%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "casual" is a versatile term widely used to describe something as relaxed, informal, or happening by chance. With a 'Correct' grammatical status and 'Very common' usage frequency, according to Ludwig, "casual" finds its place in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Lifestyle content. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context to ensure appropriateness, especially in formal settings. When needing alternatives, phrases like "informal", "relaxed", or "easygoing" can be considered, depending on the specific shade of meaning desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informal

Focuses on the lack of strict adherence to rules or formality.

relaxed

Emphasizes the absence of tension or stress.

easygoing

Highlights a tolerant and carefree attitude.

nonchalant

Suggests a cool and indifferent manner.

unceremonious

Stresses the absence of formal rituals or procedures.

unplanned

Emphasizes the lack of prior arrangement or intention.

fortuitous

Highlights the accidental or chance nature of an event.

incidental

Indicates something occurring as a minor consequence.

occasional

Stresses that something happens infrequently.

random

Highlights the lack of a predictable pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "casual" in a sentence?

You can use "casual" to describe clothing (e.g., "a casual outfit"), behavior (e.g., "a casual approach"), or events (e.g., "a casual meeting").

What's the difference between "casual" and "informal"?

"Casual" often implies a relaxed and comfortable style, while "informal" suggests a lack of strict adherence to rules or etiquette. They are often interchangeable, but "casual" can also refer to something happening by chance.

What are some synonyms for "casual"?

Alternatives for "casual" include "relaxed", "informal", "easygoing", and "nonchalant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "casual" in a business setting?

Yes, "casual" is often used to describe a workplace with a "relaxed" atmosphere or dress code. However, consider the context and ensure it doesn't undermine professionalism.