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REFERENCE

casual

adj. · n.
US //ˈkæʒəwəɫ// UK //kˈæʒuːəl// ca·su·al
  1. 1 relaxed or informal (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    relaxed and not formal in style or behavior.

    denoting a relaxed or informal style, manner, or attitude; not following strict social codes.

    Example

    The office has a casual dress code on Fridays, so most people wear jeans.

    Example

    His casual approach to the meeting initially unsettled the clients, who were accustomed to a much more rigid and formal corporate culture.
  2. 2 not serious or committed (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    doing something without much interest, effort, or long-term commitment.

    characterised by a lack of deep interest, serious intent, or permanent commitment.

    Example

    They were just casual acquaintances who saw each other at the gym occasionally.

    Example

    A casual observer might miss the subtle architectural details that make this cathedral unique among its contemporaries.
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  1. 3 happening by chance (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    happening by accident or without being planned.

    occurring by chance or without premeditation; incidental.

    Example

    A casual remark from a friend gave her the idea for her new book.

    Example

    The investigation was sparked by a casual comment made during a routine audit, leading to the discovery of systemic financial errors.
  2. 4 irregular work (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describing a job that is not permanent or does not have regular hours.

    relating to employment that is irregular, temporary, or lacks a permanent contract.

    Example

    She found some casual work at a local café during the summer holidays.

    Example

    The rise of the gig economy has led to an increase in casual labor, often leaving workers without traditional benefits or job security.
  3. 5 temporary worker (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English

    a person who is employed on a temporary or irregular basis.

    a worker employed on a non-permanent basis, typically without a guaranteed number of hours.

    Example

    The company hires several casuals during the busy Christmas period.

    Example

    The union argued that long-term casuals should be offered the option to convert to permanent part-time status after twelve months of service.

    Usage

    Commonly used in Australian and British English in the context of labor rights.
  4. 6 non-serious gamer (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang Computing

    someone who plays video games occasionally but is not very serious about them.

    a person who engages with a hobby, particularly gaming, in a relaxed or superficial manner.

    Example

    The game was designed to appeal to casuals who only have ten minutes to play.

    Example

    Hardcore players often dismiss the new mechanics as a way to cater to casuals at the expense of deep strategy.

    Teacher's tip

    In gaming communities, this term is often used as a mild insult by more dedicated players.
    • hobbyist
Origin

From Middle French casuel, from Late Latin cāsuālis (“happening by chance”), from Latin cāsus (“event”) (English case), from cadere (“to fall”) (whence English cadence).

Word family

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