casual
casual — 形容詞
1. describing clothes that are comfortable, simple, and meant for everyday wear rat
休閒的；便裝
非正式場合穿的服裝
describing clothes that are comfortable, simple, and meant for everyday wear rather than formal events or business settings
The wedding invitation said guests could wear casual clothes like jeans and a shirt.
婚禮邀請函上寫說，賓客可以穿休閒服裝，例如牛仔褲和襯衫。
casual clothes + specific examples (jeans and a shirt)
Priya changed into a casual summer dress after her job interview finished.
Priya 在面試結束後換上了一件休閒的夏季洋裝。
The office has a casual dress code on Fridays, so nobody wears a suit.
這間辦公室在星期五有休閒服裝規定，所以沒有人穿西裝。
For the picnic by the lake, everyone wore casual shorts and T-shirts.
湖邊野餐時，每個人都穿著休閒的短褲和 T 恤。
- informal
the closest synonym, used interchangeably for clothes and settings
- comfortable
focuses on the feeling of the clothes rather than the dress code
- relaxed
describes the atmosphere or style rather than specific clothing items
常見錯誤
2. showing little concern, effort, or emotional involvement — often suggesting that
不在乎；冷漠
表現出缺乏關心或興趣
showing little concern, effort, or emotional involvement — often suggesting that someone appears relaxed about something that others find important
Yusuf gave a casual shrug when asked about missing the deadline.
被問到錯過截止日的事時，Yusuf 只是不在乎地聳了聳肩。
casual shrug — typical body language for unconcerned attitude
Her casual tone during the meeting made the team think she did not care.
她在會議上冷漠的語氣讓團隊覺得她根本不在乎。
The nurse spoke in a casual voice while explaining the serious test results.
那位護士用漫不經心的語氣說明嚴重的檢查結果。
Aiko made a casual comment about the budget cut, but everyone else was very worried.
Aiko 對預算削減隨口說了句話，但其他人都非常擔心。
His casual attitude toward safety rules worried the construction site manager.
他對安全規範滿不在乎的態度讓工地管理員很擔心。
- nonchalant
similar meaning but slightly more formal; suggests calm confidence rather than disinterest
- unconcerned
stronger focus on lack of worry; may sound more negative
- offhand
describes remarks or comments that seem unprepared or dismissive
- blasé
suggests boredom with something others find exciting; slightly more negative
用法筆記
Often carries a critical tone — describing someone's attitude or behaviour as 'casual' in a situation that demands seriousness implies disapproval. The subject is typically a person's manner, voice, comment, or attitude, not their clothing.
常見錯誤
3. used only for a short period of time, without a fixed schedule or formal arrange
臨時的；偶爾
非固定、非長期的
used only for a short period of time, without a fixed schedule or formal arrangement — describes work, employment, or relationships that are not permanent or regular
During the summer, the hotel hires casual workers to clean rooms and serve meals.
暑假期間，這間旅館雇用臨時工來打掃房間和送餐。
collocation: casual workers / casual labour
Ravi found casual employment at a warehouse while looking for a full-time job.
Ravi 在找全職工作的同時，在一間倉庫做臨時工。
The cafe relies on casual staff who step in when regular employees are sick.
這間咖啡館仰賴臨時員工，在正職員工生病時來代班。
Liam and Nina started as casual acquaintances at the gym and later became close friends.
Liam 和 Nina 最初只是在健身房偶爾見面的點頭之交，後來成了好朋友。
The museum offers casual visitors a reduced ticket price compared with yearly members.
這間博物館提供臨時訪客優惠票價，比年度會員票便宜。
- temporary
more general term; 'casual' implies less formal arrangement than 'temporary'
- occasional
focuses on happening from time to time, not on lack of formality
- part-time
specifically about fewer hours per week; 'casual' work may be full-time but irregular
用法筆記
Used only before a noun. Common in employment contexts ('casual worker', 'casual labour', 'casual staff') where it contrasts with 'permanent' or 'full-time'. Also describes relationships ('casual acquaintance') that are not close or regular.
常見錯誤
4. happening without being planned, intended, or prepared — often used to describe
偶然；隨意
未經計畫或隨機發生的
happening without being planned, intended, or prepared — often used to describe meetings, remarks, observations, or actions that occur by chance rather than through deliberate effort
A casual remark from a neighbour gave Wen the idea to start a community garden.
鄰居隨口的一句話，給了 Wen 創辦社區花園的靈感。
collocation: casual remark / casual comment
Beatriz ran into an old classmate during a casual stroll through the park.
Beatriz 在公園隨意散步時，巧遇了一位老同學。
What started as a casual conversation at a cafe turned into a business partnership.
一開始只是在咖啡館的隨意交談，後來竟發展成了商業合作。
The police officer made a casual check of the car and discovered the stolen goods.
警察隨機檢查了一輛車，結果發現了被偷的貨物。
A casual observer might think the game looked easy, but the players knew better.
不經意的旁觀者可能覺得比賽看起來很簡單，但球員們心裡有數。
- unplanned
direct synonym; focuses purely on lack of intention
- accidental
stronger — suggests something happened by mistake, not just without planning
- offhand
describes remarks made without preparation, often seeming dismissive
- incidental
more formal; describes something that happens as a minor side-effect
- planned
arranged or intended in advance
- deliberate
done consciously and intentionally
- thorough
carried out with great care and attention to detail
用法筆記
Used only before a noun. Unlike sense 2 (NOT INTERESTED), this sense does not imply a lack of care — the focus is on lack of planning or intention. A 'casual remark' may be thoughtful but unplanned; a 'casual glance' is brief and unintentional.