nonchalant

[ non-shuh-lahnt, non-shuh-lahnt, -luhnt ]

adjective

1. coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; casual:

   His nonchalant manner infuriated me.

   Synonyms: composed, collected, calm, cool

   Antonyms: excitable

nonchalant

/ ˈnɒnʃələnt /

adjective

1. casually unconcerned or indifferent; uninvolved

Derived Forms

• ˈnonchalance, noun
• ˈnonchalantly, adverb

Other Words From

• non·cha·lant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonchalant¹

First recorded in 1725–35; from French nonchalant, present participle of obsolete nonchaloir “to lack warmth (of heart), be indifferent,” equivalent to non- prefix meaning “not” + chaloir, from Latin calēre “to be warm”; non-, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonchalant¹

C18: from French, from nonchaloir to lack warmth, from non- + chaloir, from Latin calēre to be warm

Example Sentences

It’s a place where you can catch the surreal tableau of a plane from Middle East Airlines, Lebanon’s national carrier, threading its way between columns of smoke rising from explosions below, the Mediterranean sparkling in the background, before making a nonchalant landing.

From Los Angeles Times

Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, deteriorated and security personnel had to bundle former Vice President Mike Pence out of the way of rampaging insurrectionists, former President Donald Trump allegedly gave a nonchalant "so what?" according to a bombshell court filing by Special Counsel Jack Smith released Wednesday by Judge Tanya Chutkan.

From Salon

When his supporters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 and endangered Pence, Trump allegedly reacted with a nonchalant: "So what?"

From Salon

For Betts — whose nonchalant demeanor sometimes is interpreted as a lack of passion — it created the kind of environment where his enjoyment is highest and most evident.

From Los Angeles Times

Zirkzee's display included a nonchalant celebration that matched the way in which he took the goal, sweeping Alejandro Garnacho's right-wing cross into the bottom corner with the minimum of fuss.

From BBC

Related Words

• aloof
• apathetic
• casual
• detached
• dispassionate
• effortless
• lackadaisical
• lukewarm
• mellow
• offhand
• unconcerned
• unemotional
• unflappable
• unperturbed
• unruffled