What Is Casual?

• Main Entry: ¹ca·su·al 
• Pronunciation: \ˈkazh-wəl, ˈka-zhə-wəl, ˈka-zhəl\
• Function: adjective
• Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French casuel, from Late Latin casualis, from Latin casus fall, chance — more at case
• Date: 14th century

1 : subject to, resulting from, or occurring by chance casual meeting>
2 a : occurring without regularity : occasional <casual employment> b : employed for irregular periods casual worker> c : met with on occasion and known only superficially casual friend>
3 a (1) : feeling or showing little concern : nonchalant casual approach to cooking> (2) :lacking a high degree of interest or devotion <casual sports fans> <casual readers> (3) : done without serious intent or commitment <casual sex> b (1) : informal, natural casualconversation> (2) : designed for informal use <casual clothing>