casual
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.relaxed and not formal in style or behavior.
adj.denoting a relaxed or informal style, manner, or attitude; not following strict social codes.
Simple“The office has a casual dress code on Fridays, so most people wear jeans.”
In context“His casual approach to the meeting initially unsettled the clients, who were accustomed to a much more rigid and formal corporate culture.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.doing something without much interest, effort, or long-term commitment.
adj.characterised by a lack of deep interest, serious intent, or permanent commitment.
Simple“They were just casual acquaintances who saw each other at the gym occasionally.”
In context“A casual observer might miss the subtle architectural details that make this cathedral unique among its contemporaries.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.happening by accident or without being planned.
adj.occurring by chance or without premeditation; incidental.
Simple“A casual remark from a friend gave her the idea for her new book.”
In context“The investigation was sparked by a casual comment made during a routine audit, leading to the discovery of systemic financial errors.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describing a job that is not permanent or does not have regular hours.
adj.relating to employment that is irregular, temporary, or lacks a permanent contract.
Simple“She found some casual work at a local café during the summer holidays.”
In context“The rise of the gig economy has led to an increase in casual labor, often leaving workers without traditional benefits or job security.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
n.a person who is employed on a temporary or irregular basis.
n.a worker employed on a non-permanent basis, typically without a guaranteed number of hours.
Simple“The company hires several casuals during the busy Christmas period.”
In context“The union argued that long-term casuals should be offered the option to convert to permanent part-time status after twelve months of service.”
UsageCommonly used in Australian and British English in the context of labor rights.
SynonymsAntonyms - 06 C1 Advanced
n.someone who plays video games occasionally but is not very serious about them.
n.a person who engages with a hobby, particularly gaming, in a relaxed or superficial manner.
Simple“The game was designed to appeal to casuals who only have ten minutes to play.”
In context“Hardcore players often dismiss the new mechanics as a way to cater to casuals at the expense of deep strategy.”
Teacher's tipIn gaming communities, this term is often used as a mild insult by more dedicated players.
SynonymshobbyistAntonymshardcore gamerpro
“Reading from their script in a casual, un-actorly way, they gently prod Brecht’s story towards today.”
“In families with six or seven children, parents may send only two or three to school while the others stay behind to collect firewood, fetch water or look for casual work.”
From Middle French casuel, from Late Latin cāsuālis (“happening by chance”), from Latin cāsus (“event”) (English case), from cadere (“to fall”) (whence English cadence).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.