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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 But at casual restaurants, tables turn over quickly, giving the businesses a chance to make more money on the next party. Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2025 Places like America’s Best Racing are working to educate casual fans about everything from betting to how well horses are taken care of and what to expect on race day. Spencer Ripchik, Baltimore Sun, 6 June 2025 How to book Cluck N Cleaver is casual, but reservations are a must for Cabaret l’Enfer (via OpenTable) and recommended for Lee (also on OpenTable). Renée Morrison, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025 The Carolina Panthers have ties to all of those postseason teams, which could lead a casual or first-time UFL watcher to finding some sort of rooting interest for the UFL playoffs. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for casual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for casual
Adjective
  • With its gleaming cabinetry, large central island and ample space for a large table and chairs for informal meals, this area has an undeniable contemporary feel and visual appeal.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
  • This exemption enabled informal workers and women who had had career gaps due to childrearing, for instance, to retire with some security.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • The trauma Miami Dolphins fans experience isn’t accidental.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
  • The difference in these teams after this opening act — 80 minutes of often great, mostly white-knuckled hockey — was an accidental flip of the puck out of play for a two-minute penalty near the end of overtime.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Throughout the book, ogling bystanders, nonchalant locals, and wannabes shooting their shot at stardom all add to the surrealist spectacle.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 May 2025
  • Over the seasons, Tamburini has been offering sleek and sophisticated designs, yet with a modern touch, fluid shapes and a sort of nonchalant attitude.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • Though the May 31 eruption is the only one caught on official video, the USGS has received several reports of other sporadic eruptions over the past year.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 June 2025
  • My spring crops were slow to develop this year, stifled by sporadic frosts and bouts of dry weather.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Previous generations entertained at home more often than making a restaurant reservation, and all those dinner parties and teas came with an assortment of beautifully designed serving pieces and perfectly specific items that were pulled out for celebratory events and everyday occasions alike.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 June 2025
  • Scientists use a system of complicated-sounding names to refer to everyday creatures, a practice heavily lampooned in the Warner Bros. cartoons featuring the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote – or, respectively, Accelleratii incredibus and Carnivorous vulgaris.
    Nicholas Green, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • There is an occasional veteran who shows up on a rehabilitation assignment.
    Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Having the occasional treat or missing a workout is okay.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • After Earps’ announcement, Wiegman was asked what her long-time goalkeeper’s sudden international retirement two months before a major tournament said about the unity of the team.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Keep a safe distance: Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Residents lack running water, use 5-gallon buckets as toilets and must contend with intermittent electricity and deteriorating homes that expose them to the region’s fierce weather.
    Emily Schwing, ProPublica, 29 May 2025
  • The issues appeared to be largely resolved by around 10 a.m., but some users experienced intermittent issues with the platform until about 11 a.m.
    Erin Doherty, CNBC, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Casual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/casual. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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