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

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

The 51-year-old opted not to wear the high-tech gear of his shooting competitors, and held a nonchalant pose, with his non-shooting hand casually tucked into his pocket.

From BBC

The nonchalant statement of an unnamed Pentagon official says it all: “We weren’t looking at this from a public health perspective. We were looking at how we could drag China through the mud.”

From Salon

Streisand’s nonchalant comment quickly garnered divided reactions on social media.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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