# casual

/ˈkæʒəwəɫ/ (US) · /kˈæʒuːəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/casual
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. relaxed or informal

adjective · CEFR B1

relaxed and not formal in style or behavior.

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

- The office has a casual dress code on Fridays, so most people wear jeans.
- His casual approach to the meeting initially unsettled the clients, who were accustomed to a much more rigid and formal corporate culture.

### 2. not serious or committed

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- They were just casual acquaintances who saw each other at the gym occasionally.
- A casual observer might miss the subtle architectural details that make this cathedral unique among its contemporaries.

### 3. happening by chance

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

happening by accident or without being planned.

For teachers: occurring by chance or without premeditation; incidental.

- A casual remark from a friend gave her the idea for her new book.
- The investigation was sparked by a casual comment made during a routine audit, leading to the discovery of systemic financial errors.

### 4. irregular work

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- She found some casual work at a local café during the summer holidays.
- The rise of the gig economy has led to an increase in casual labor, often leaving workers without traditional benefits or job security.

### 5. temporary worker

noun · CEFR C1 · British English

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

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

- The company hires several casuals during the busy Christmas period.
- 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.

### 6. non-serious gamer

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

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

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

- The game was designed to appeal to casuals who only have ten minutes to play.
- Hardcore players often dismiss the new mechanics as a way to cater to casuals at the expense of deep strategy.

Teaching tip: In gaming communities, this term is often used as a mild insult by more dedicated players.

## Examples

- The office has a casual dress code on Fridays.
- They decided to keep their relationship casual instead of making any long-term plans together.
- His casual remark about the project's failure suggested a surprising lack of concern for the months of effort the team had invested.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.