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

Other Word Forms

• nonchalance noun
• nonchalantly 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

At his most nonchalant, he’s doing an Oliver impression.

From Los Angeles Times

I wasn’t sure what scared me more, the thought of the tourists being attacked, or the way they were all so nonchalant in the face of danger creeping right up to them.

From Salon

One episode explores how Gehry, about a decade older than the others, both profoundly influenced and often overshadowed the group — a reality that was perhaps reinforced by his nonchalant dominance in the photo itself.

From Los Angeles Times

This nonchalant style helped enable Pereira's side to play much more aggressively over the second half of the campaign.

From BBC

James' nonchalant celebration of pretending to put her hands in her pockets and staring down the camera almost does her performance a disservice.

From BBC

Related Words

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