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adj. 1. a. Being without ceremony or formality; relaxed or informal: a casual evening with friends. b. Unpremeditated or offhand: a casual remark. c. Suited for everyday wear or informal use: casual clothing. 2. Not serious or thorough; superficial: a casual inspection; a casual understanding of French. 3. Showing little interest or concern; nonchalant: "speaks with casual aplomb about being shot at" (Janelle Brown). 4. Occurring or being such by chance: "in the first months when I was pregnant, before it was obvious to the casual observer" (Anne Roiphe). See Synonyms at chance. 5. a. Occurring at irregular or infrequent intervals; occasional: casual employment at a factory; a casual correspondence with a former teacher. b. Employed on an irregular basis: casual workers. 6. a. Socialized with only occasionally; not close or intimate: a casual acquaintance. b. Being or occurring between sexual partners who are not in an established relationship: casual lovers; casual sex. n. 1. One that serves or appears at irregular intervals, especially a temporary worker. 2. casuals Casualwear: sent my casuals to the cleaners. 3. A soldier temporarily attached to a unit while awaiting permanent assignment. [Middle English casuel, due to chance, unpredictable, from Old French, from Latin cāsuālis, from cāsus, event; see CASE1.] casu·al·ly adv. casu·al·ness n. |
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