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nonchalantly

nonchalantly

8 7.4
In a calm way that shows no worry or excitement
  • adverb
  • /ˌnɒnʃəˈlɑːntli/
: 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
97 1.0

In a calm, steady way without showing anger or nervousness

is casual and unconcerned rather than formally calm or neutral
casually
vsnonchalantly
94 2.5

In a relaxed, not very careful way

is calm and unconcerned but not careless or sloppy in action
coolly
vsnonchalantly
13 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
2 6.6

Without showing surprise or worry

is the single-word neutral adverb preferred in standard writing
breezily
vsnonchalantly
2 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
1 7.0

In a way that shows no worry or interest

is casual and calm in attitude rather than actively uninterested
supinely
vsnonchalantly
  • Formal
1 9.8

Not acting or protesting when something unfair happens

is casually calm without implying weakness or passive resignation
nervelessly
vsnonchalantly
  • Archaic
1 7.5

To act calmly without showing fear

is calmly unconcerned in general situations and not only under pressure
unaffectedly
vsnonchalantly
1 7.8

Calmly without showing any emotion

is casual and composed expressed as relaxed unconcern rather than restraint
weightlessly
vsnonchalantly
1 6.5

In a casual way that shows little worry or care

is calm and unconcerned but not specifically light or airy

Antonyms

39 3.2

In a worried or nervous way

How Unconcerned

nonchalantly
8 7.4
casually
94 2.5
calmly
97 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.