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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Casual: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：relaxed and informal (casual)

casual 🔊

/ˈkæʒ.u.əl/

adj.

Relaxed and informal, not formal or official. Often used to describe clothes, style, or behavior.

Casual clothing example: a person in jeans and a t-shirt smiling in a park.

relaxed and informal 🔊

➕

/rɪˈlækst ænd ɪnˈfɔːrməl/

adj.

Describing something that is not formal or official, often referring to clothing, style, or behavior.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'casualis' meaning 'by chance', derived from 'casus' (fall, chance).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'casual' for casual days – no strict plans, just easy-going and informal.

📖 Example

On Fridays, the office allows casual dress, so I usually wear jeans and a nice t-shirt. 🔊 On Fridays, the office permits informal attire, so I typically wear jeans and a nice t-shirt.

🔗 Collocations

casual wear – clothing that is relaxed and informal

casual Friday – a day when employees can dress informally at work

casual attitude – a relaxed and non-serious approach

🔄 Synonyms

informal (adj.) – not formal; relaxed in style or manner

relaxed (adj.) – free from tension; easy-going and comfortable

unceremonious (adj.) – not formal or official; casual and straightforward

🚫 Antonyms

formal (adj.) – following established rules or conventions; official and structured

official (adj.) – authorized or recognized by authority; formal and serious

🌱 Derivatives

casually (adv.) – in a relaxed or informal manner

casualness (n.) – the quality of being relaxed or informal

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'casual' entered English in the 14th century from Latin 'casualis', initially meaning 'by chance'. It later evolved to describe informal attire or situations, reflecting relaxed norms in modern workplaces like 'casual Friday'.

Meaning 2：by chance (casual)

casual 🔊

/ˈkæʒ.u.əl/

adj.

Happening by chance or without planning; not serious or intended.

Casual meeting illustration: two people surprised by a chance encounter on a street.

by chance 🔊

➕

/baɪ tʃæns/

adj.

Referring to something that happens without planning or intention; not serious or deliberate.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

We had a casual encounter at the coffee shop and ended up chatting for an hour. 🔊 We met accidentally at the coffee shop and talked for an hour.

🔗 Collocations

casual encounter – a meeting that happens by chance without prior arrangement

casual remark – a comment made without serious thought or intention

casual relationship – a non-serious or informal romantic involvement

🔄 Synonyms

accidental (adj.) – happening by chance, not intentionally

unplanned (adj.) – not arranged or intended in advance

fortuitous (adj.) – happening by chance, especially in a beneficial way

🚫 Antonyms

intentional (adj.) – done with purpose or plan; deliberate

planned (adj.) – arranged or decided in advance

🌱 Derivatives

casually (adv.) – in a manner that is by chance or without planning

casualness (n.) – the quality of being unplanned or informal