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as in informal
not designed to be worn only on special occasions a restaurant where people in casual clothes are always welcome

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective casual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of casual are accidental, contingent, and fortuitous. While all these words mean "not amenable to planning or prediction," casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent.

a casual encounter with a stranger

When might accidental be a better fit than casual?

The synonyms accidental and casual are sometimes interchangeable, but accidental stresses chance.

any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental

In what contexts can contingent take the place of casual?

While in some cases nearly identical to casual, contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence.

the contingent effects of the proposed law

When is it sensible to use fortuitous instead of casual?

Although the words fortuitous and casual have much in common, fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause.

a series of fortuitous events

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of casual Primed for durability against the elements, these alfresco pieces are more casual and laid-back compared to their interior counterparts, but every bit as style-forward—blessed with textured accents and modern curves. Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 18 Apr. 2025 Switzerland Inn is a great place to go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner thanks to several dining options that range from casual to upscale. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025 The restaurant is also open in a more casual setting for breakfast and lunch. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025 Throw them on for a poolside lunch at a beachfront resort or dress them up with a nice blouse for a smart-casual dinner in the city. Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for casual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for casual
Adjective
  • When the executive order goes into effect, de minimis packages from China will be subject to an informal entry process, and each package that travels to the U.S. via international post will now be subject to a tariff rate of 120 percent or $100, a rate that will increase to $200 after June 1.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • What exactly are the rules for saving seats at an informal event where seats are not assigned? Related Articles Miss Manners: Heroes?
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Similarly, an accidental executor can be the trustee of a revocable trust after the grantor has passed away.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D., Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • What followed was part social experiment, part accidental soul-baring, and slightly more fun than doomscrolling solo.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Their dominance was complete and almost nonchalant.
    Michael Walker, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Sure, your cat may look rather nonchalant about it.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the absence of The Rock—the catalyst of this entire turn—throughout the entire build of WrestleMania, mixed with the sporadic appearances from Cena, hurt the storytelling of what could have been a deeply complex villain.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Justin Turner has been among those helping Workman navigate his first experience with life in the big leagues and sporadic playing time.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Acknowledging mom's everyday love for leggings, this fresh pair is a thoughtful gift that elevates her athleisure style.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, hybrid systems that combine elements of both traditional and quantum communication can serve as a bridge, helping businesses, governments and everyday users to adapt without disrupting the current digital infrastructure.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The house that the Americans strategically position themselves in is home to two families; there are occasional insert shots of family photos and trinkets, and at several points these families are shown cowering, terrified by what’s happening around them.
    Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Burnout goes beyond the occasional tough day at work.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Several conditions may cause sudden vision loss, such as an eye injury.
    Heidi Cope, Health, 19 Apr. 2025
  • All of a sudden, something that was a huge source of joy in my grandparents’ life became a challenge.
    Katie Akin, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • During intermittent periods for minutes at a time, the NYPD and MTAPD strategically closed certain doors temporarily out of the hundreds of doors throughout the terminal to prevent additional demonstrators from entering.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Invisible geckos belt out intermittent clicks from the foliage, as brown pelicans sweep lazily across the sky, patrolling the shoreline for their daily fill.
    Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Casual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/casual. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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