Nonchalant meaning

nŏn'shə-länt'
Casually calm and relaxed.

We handled the whole frenetic situation with a nonchalant attitude.

adjective
8
2
Without warmth or enthusiasm; showing cool lack of concern; casually indifferent.
adjective
6
4
Casually unconcerned or indifferent.
adjective
5
1
The definition of nonchalant is not showing interest.

An example of nonchalant is the response "whatever."

adjective
4
2

He is far too nonchalant about such a serious matter.

adjective
1
1
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Origin of nonchalant

  • French from Old French present participle of nonchaloir to be unconcerned non- non- chaloir to cause concern to (from Latin calēre to be warm, heat up kelə-1 in Indo-European roots)
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From French nonchalant, from Old French nonchaloir (“to not be concerned"), from non- (“not") + chaloir (“to have concern for"), from Latin non 'not' + calere 'to be warm'
    From Wiktionary

Nonchalant Sentence Examples

  • Dean answered in a voice as nonchalant as he could muster.

  • The animals had a nonchalant air of "What are you doing here, humans?" about them.

  • Have you been too nonchalant about your own legacy?

  • The nonchalant reply of Miller was a simple "yeah."

  • Adrienne shucked her coat and tried to act nonchalant in spite of the warmth in her cheeks.

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Words near nonchalant in the Dictionary