casual acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

"casual acquaintance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone you are familiar with, but don't know well or may have met only a few times. For example: "I only had a casual acquaintance with my neighbor, so it was a surprise when she invited me to her birthday party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

But avoiding the question altogether is fine (if socially awkward); no casual acquaintance is entitled to demand a curriculum vitae.

The New York Times - Magazine

She counts her blessings and buries her head in a book to deter casual acquaintance in public places.

The Guardian - Books

He finds both in Mortensen and Dunst's holidaying couple, but their casual acquaintance gets serious after a sudden murder.

The Guardian - Film

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

I raise this not out of chauvinism but because a casual acquaintance with any British wartime novels or films would have revealed how real Britons generally talked.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "casual acquaintance" to accurately describe relationships that are more than just a stranger but less than a friend. It clarifies the level of intimacy and involvement.

Common error

Avoid referring to someone as a friend when they are merely a "casual acquaintance". This can create false expectations or misrepresent the nature of your relationship to others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "casual acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "casual acquaintance" is a noun phrase used to accurately describe relationships that are not particularly close or intimate. It is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, especially in news and media. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase helps to clarify relationship dynamics, avoiding overstatements of intimacy. When writing, remember to differentiate between genuine friendships and "casual acquaintances" to set appropriate expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight acquaintance

Emphasizes the minimal level of familiarity.

passing acquaintance

Highlights the brief and transient nature of the relationship.

nodding acquaintance

Implies a relationship limited to exchanging greetings.

superficial contact

Focuses on the lack of depth in the interaction.

tenuous connection

Suggests a weak or fragile link between individuals.

distant connection

Emphasizes the emotional or social distance between people.

loose association

Describes a general connection without specific obligations.

informal contact

Highlights the relaxed and unstructured nature of the relationship.

slight association

Emphasizes the minimal level of connection or involvement.

peripheral contact

Indicates a relationship that exists on the edges of one's social circle.

FAQs

What does "casual acquaintance" mean?

A "casual acquaintance" is someone you know but not very well. The relationship is more than just a stranger but less intimate than a friend.

How do you use "casual acquaintance" in a sentence?

Example: "I ran into a "casual acquaintance" from college at the grocery store yesterday."

What can I say instead of "casual acquaintance"?

You can use alternatives like "slight acquaintance", "passing acquaintance", or "nodding acquaintance" to describe a less intimate relationship.

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

While it depends on the favor, it's generally better to reserve significant requests for close friends or family rather than a "casual acquaintance".