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Synonyms

nonchalant

American  
[non-shuh-lahnt, non-shuh-lahnt, -luhnt] / ˌnɒn ʃəˈlɑnt, ˈnɒn ʃəˌlɑnt, -lənt /

adjective

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

    His nonchalant manner infuriated me.
    Synonyms:
    composed, collected, calm, cool
    Antonyms:
    excitable
nonchalant British  
/ ˈnɒnʃələnt /

adjective

  1. casually unconcerned or indifferent; uninvolved

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonchalance noun
  • nonchalantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of nonchalant

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Despite my attempt to be nonchalant, I knew my behavior wasn’t going unnoticed.

From Literature

No doubt that playful warmth played a part in him being cast as Luffy, a hilariously nonchalant, yet utterly sincere would-be pirate.

From Los Angeles Times

Elliot laughed, and I smiled a smile that I hoped was convincingly nonchalant.

From Literature

Heading into the results, investors were a bit more nonchalant about threats to the economy.

From MarketWatch

I’m startled by her question and even more startled by her nonchalant attitude.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.