nonchalant Hear it!

nonchalant Definition

non·cha·lant (nän′s̸hə länt′; nän′s̸hə länt′, --lənt)

adjective

  1. without warmth or enthusiasm; not showing interest
  2. showing cool lack of concern; casually indifferent

Etymology: Fr < non (L non), not + chaloir, to care for < L calere, to be warm or ardent: see calorie

  • nonchargeable
  • nonchemical
  • non-Chinese
  • non-Christian
  • nonchurch
  • noncitizen
  • noncivilized
  • nonclassical
  • nonclassifiable
  • nonclerical
  • nonclinical
nonchalant Related Forms
non′·cha·lant′ly adverb
nonchalant Synonyms

nonchalant

modif.

unconcerned, casual, indifferent, insouciant, untroubled, cool, imperturbable, easygoing, lackadaisical, apathetic, lukewarm, unruffled, unexcited, composed, collected, aloof, detached, offhand, unexcitable, unflappable, calm, serene, placid, incurious, disinterested, easy, effortless, relaxed, light, smooth, neutral, unimpressible, blasé, devil-may-care, heedless, regardless, careless, laid-back*; see also calm 1, careless 1, unconcerned.

Antonyms warm*, ardent, enthusiastic. See syn. study at cool.cool.

nonchalant Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • almost: The communities in the locality were in ferment after Straffen's almost nonchalant escape and his presumed murder of Linda Bowyer.
  • too: Have you been too nonchalant about your own legacy that it is only now that the back catalog is seeing the light of day?
  • quite: He had a strange star like quality, but even tho people recognized him he was quite nonchalant.
  • very: She appeared very nonchalant with a well turned out standard Brompton, devoid of the gizmos sported by her husband's machine.
  • seemingly: At the age of five he is handed over by his seemingly nonchalant father and grief-stricken mother to the missionary nuns as tradition demands.
  • rather: In a rather nonchalant response, Rumsfeld has cited the thousands of retired military men who haven't yet demanded his resignation.

Modifies a noun

  • attitude: Lou's nonchalant attitude to the bus burning has got a few people in Ramsay Street talking.
  • manner: His Lordship was played in a nonchalant easy manner by Ralph Dawes, a very good attempt.
  • way: Cook said nothing about the reprinting, but agreed in his usual curious, nonchalant way.
  • air: They had a nonchalant air of ' what are you doing here, humans about them.
  • reply: The nonchalant reply of Miller was a simple " yeah " .
  • delivery: Natural, effortless and nonchalant delivery with a cool, honest but hugely appealling and likeable delivery.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: His heart pounded in his chest, and he tried to look nonchalant.
  • sound: He sounded just as nonchalant when asked about the overall shape of his team.
  • appear: She appeared very nonchalant with a well turned out standard Brompton, devoid of the gizmos sported by her husband's machine.
  • remain: Six or more snakes swing from the skull the hero holds, however he remains nonchalant, not looking.
  • seem: Anne 26/10/2005 01:24 The sheep do seem nonchalant don't they?