casually
casually — adverb
1. done without following strict rules about dress, behaviour, or social convention
done without following strict rules about dress, behaviour, or social convention — for instance, greeting a professor by first name or wearing sandals to a dinner party.
Ravi dressed casually for the company picnic, wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
collocation: dress casually
The meeting was held casually in a coffee shop rather than a boardroom.
Leila greeted her boss casually by his nickname, which surprised the new staff.
Even though the invitation said formal, most guests arrived casually dressed.
The teacher spoke casually with students during break, avoiding strict classroom tone.
- informally
Very close synonym; informally is slightly more formal in tone than casually itself.
- nonchalantly
Describes a relaxed attitude, closer to sense 2 (WITHOUT INTEREST) than to dress code.
- formally
Direct opposite — implies strict adherence to rules, dress codes, or social conventions.
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs of clothing (dress, wear) and communication (speak, greet, talk). Contrasts with formally in both register and appearance.
常見錯誤
2. showing little care or concern about something, treating it as if it does not ma
showing little care or concern about something, treating it as if it does not matter much — for example, shrugging when you hear bad news or mentioning a major success as though it were trivial.
Priya mentioned her award casually, as if winning it meant nothing to her.
adverb modifies verb of speaking
The doctor casually dismissed the patient's symptoms, which upset the family greatly.
negative connotation: dismissing something important
Yusuf glanced casually at the price tag and decided the jacket was too expensive.
Beatriz casually dropped the news that she was moving to Tokyo next month.
The manager waved his hand casually and said the problem was not worth discussing.
- nonchalantly
Emphasises a relaxed, easy manner that hides effort or emotion.
- indifferently
Stronger negative connotation of not caring at all.
- offhandedly
Focuses on doing something without thinking or preparing.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (INFORMALLY): this sense is about emotional detachment or lack of concern, not about dress codes or social informality. A person can be formally dressed yet speak casually about a loss. Common with verbs of communication (mention, say, drop, dismiss) and perception (glance, look, wave).
常見錯誤
❌ 'She casually jogged around the park.' (Ambiguous — could mean she dressed informally or didn't try hard.) Specify: 'She jogged casually, not really trying to improve her time.'
3. happening without previous planning, serious thought, or deliberate purpose — fo
happening without previous planning, serious thought, or deliberate purpose — for example, making a remark without considering the consequences, or finding something when you are not looking for it.
Hana casually mentioned she might quit, not realising her boss was listening nearby.
lack of intention or forethought
The two old friends met casually at the airport and spent the layover together.
happening by chance, not arranged
Kaito casually booked a flight to Seoul without checking the visa requirements first.
Ines casually pulled a book off the shelf and found her grandfather's signature inside.
Tariq casually remarked that the old bridge might collapse, and everyone laughed — until it did.
- unintentionally
Stronger emphasis on lack of purpose; less common in everyday speech.
- haphazardly
Suggests disorganisation or randomness, often negative.
- deliberately
Implies intention and forethought.
- on purpose
Everyday opposite — doing something intentionally.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (WITHOUT INTEREST): sense 2 focuses on emotional detachment (the person does not care), while sense 3 focuses on lack of planning or chance (the person did not mean to or did not think). A remark can be made casually-without-interest (I don't care what you think) or casually-by-chance (I didn't intend to say it). Test: if 'without caring' fits, use sense 2; if 'without meaning to / unexpectedly' fits, use sense 3.
常見錯誤
4. done without a regular schedule or permanent arrangement, such as working a few
done without a regular schedule or permanent arrangement, such as working a few days each week without a formal contract or picking up available shifts.
Theo worked casually as a tour guide during the summer, with no fixed schedule.
collocation: work casually
The restaurant employs several people casually, calling them in only when busy.
passive: employed casually
Aiko is paid by the hour because she works casually for three different companies.
Students often work casually in cafes while studying, earning money without long-term commitment.
The warehouse hired extra hands casually during the holiday season each year.
- temporarily
Focuses on short duration rather than irregularity of schedule.
- part-time
Often overlaps but part-time implies fixed hours fewer than full-time; casually implies no fixed commitment.
- permanently
Direct opposite — a permanent position with a regular contract.
- full-time
Implies regular, fixed hours each week.
用法筆記
Usually modifies employment-related verbs (work, employ, hire). In this sense, casually contrasts with permanently or full-time. Common in contexts describing part-time, temporary, or freelance arrangements. British English uses casual work more frequently than American English.