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nonchalant

ˌnɑːnʃəˈlɑːntadjective

What does nonchalant mean?

Calm and unbothered, as if nothing matters much.

Nonchalant, six ways

PlainCalm and unbothered, as if nothing matters much.
ADHDUnbothered. Cool. Shrugs it off.
Gen ZActing like it’s nothing, whether it is or not.
MetaphorA shrug wearing sunglasses.
FormalFeeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety or enthusiasm.
Like I’m 5Acting like you don’t care at all, even about big things. That’s nonchalant.

How to pronounce nonchalant

non-shuh-LAHNT/ˌnɑːnʃəˈlɑːnt/

Nonchalant in a sentence

He was nonchalant about the exam results.
She was nonchalant about the spider on her sleeve.
His nonchalant manner hid real nerves.

Synonyms for nonchalant

casualRelaxed, plainer.
unconcernedNot worried, neutral.
blaséUnimpressed from having seen it all.

Where nonchalant comes from

French. Non, not, and chaloir, to be concerned, from Latin calere, to be warm. Literally, not getting heated.

Good to know

Nonchalant can be real calm or a pose. Blasé adds boredom.

Nonchalant meaning, on a Gloss card: Calm and unbothered, as if nothing matters much.

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Words like nonchalant

circumspect · quixotic · ostentatious · nostalgia · nebulous · schadenfreude · All 110 words

In: Words for people · SAT words