English vocabulary · C1
Nonchalant
/ˌnɑːnʃəˈlɑːnt/ · adj.
A nonchalant person looks as if nothing is wrong. They stay at ease when other people think there is something to worry about.
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Example sentences
- He gave a nonchalant shrug.
- She stayed nonchalant through the storm.
Word origin and roots
from French
- nonchalant — not worried (from French)
Synonyms and nuances
- CASUAL — not making much effort (Easy and loose)
- UNCONCERNED — not feeling much worry (Does not seem to care)
- UNFAZED — not losing your calm (Not upset by trouble)
Similar words
- casual
- unconcerned
- unfazed
- unworried
- untroubled
Lesson notes
A nonchalant person looks as if nothing is wrong. They stay at ease when other people think there is something to worry about.
Related: casual, unconcerned, unfazed. Use nonchalant when trouble gets a shrug.
He gave a nonchalant shrug. She stayed nonchalant through the storm.
From French. Nonchalant- means not worried. In English, nonchalant stays cool when small things go wrong.