# casually

/ˈkæʒəwəɫi/ (US) · /kˈæʒuːəli/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/casually
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

in a relaxed way without much effort or planning. You use this when you are doing something for fun or wearing comfortable clothes rather than being serious or formal.

For teachers: in a relaxed, informal, or non-serious manner; without premeditation or significant commitment.

## Examples

- They dressed casually for the weekend party.
- She mentioned the news casually during lunch, as if it weren't a big deal at all.
- The witness claimed to have seen the suspect walking casually toward the station, showing no signs of the urgency one might expect from someone fleeing a crime scene.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He was casual dressed." but "He was casually dressed." — Learners often use the adjective form 'casual' instead of the adverb 'casually' to modify a participle or verb.

## Usage notes

- Typically follows the verb it modifies or appears at the end of the clause.

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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.