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nonchalantly

nonchalantly

9 7.4
In a calm way that shows no worry or excitement
  • adverb
  • /ˌnɒnʃəˈlɑːntli/
translation icon : despreocupadamente
  • I hid in the kitchen when they arrived and then nonchalantly strolled out at a strategic moment.

And so while I am collapsing in pools of my own sweat, he's nonchalantly, casually walking circles around me, poking holes in my world view.

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Examples

  • "We are trying to avoid the Japanese soldiers," Frank nonchalantly explained, bringing Alberto back to the present with a start.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "That's very sweet," I said, as nonchalantly as possible, "I'd like to go back to the historical society house."

    Fiction book (1997)
  • We suffer and he nonchalantly turns the pages.

  • "Of course," he replied nonchalantly, as though I had asked about the spare tire.

    Academic text (2017)
  • "Why do you do that?" he asked nonchalantly as he fiddled with a blade of grass.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Unable to hear the warning horn, Jeffrey nonchalantly leaves the bathroom as the tank is still filling.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Lips pressed thin, Jeremy turned nonchalantly and wiped his fingers on his pants.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • "I don't suppose you have any drawing pins on you, Maestro?" I asked nonchalantly.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The entrepreneur's elegantly clad son leans nonchalantly on the cloth on the table, smoking a cigar.

    Academic text (1991)
  • He nonchalantly sipped his coffee while listening to the news.

Synonyms

calmly
vsnonchalantly
110 1.0

In a calm, steady way without showing anger or nervousness

is casual and unconcerned rather than formally calm or neutral
casually
vsnonchalantly
103 2.5

In a relaxed, not very careful way

is calm and unconcerned but not careless or sloppy in action
coolly
vsnonchalantly
19 4.3

In a calm way that shows little worry or emotion

is more casually relaxed and less emotionally detached in tone
indifferently
vsnonchalantly
4 4.0

Showing no interest or care

is casually calm and relaxed rather than actively uninterested or cold
without batting an eye
vsnonchalantly
  • Informal
1 6.6

Without showing surprise or worry

is the single-word neutral adverb preferred in standard writing
breezily
vsnonchalantly
1 4.9

In a casual, confident way that shows no worry

is casual and calm but lacks the bright, cheerful tone
airily
vsnonchalantly
1 6.7

In a light, careless way that shows little worry

is calmly unconcerned and not necessarily dismissive or flippant in tone
unselfconsciously
vsnonchalantly
1 6.6

Acting naturally without worrying about what other people think

is casual and unconcerned but not specifically about self awareness
insouciantly
vsnonchalantly
1 9.9

In a relaxed way without worry

is casually calm but not necessarily cheerful or carefree
unconcernedly
vsnonchalantly
7.0

In a way that shows no worry or interest

is casual and calm in attitude rather than actively uninterested
nervelessly
vsnonchalantly
  • Archaic
7.5

To act calmly without showing fear

is calmly unconcerned in general situations and not only under pressure
weightlessly
vsnonchalantly
6.5

In a casual way that shows little worry or care

is calm and unconcerned but not specifically light or airy
unaffectedly
vsnonchalantly
7.8

Calmly without showing any emotion

is casual and composed expressed as relaxed unconcern rather than restraint
supinely
vsnonchalantly
  • Formal
9.8

Not acting or protesting when something unfair happens

is casually calm without implying weakness or passive resignation

Antonyms

43 3.2

In a worried or nervous way

How Unconcerned

nonchalantly
9 7.4
casually
103 2.5
calmly
110 1.0

Surface Forms

nonchalantly positive

Morphology

nonchalantly = nonchalant (transparent) = nonchalant + ly

The adverb is a regular formation from the adjective 'nonchalant' using the productive English suffix '-ly', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Nonchalantly comes from French nonchalant, made of non- 'not' and a root from Latin calere 'to be warm'. A helpful image is someone who is 'not warm' about a matter — cool and distant — so to act nonchalantly is to be calm and not show worry.