nonchalantly
- adverb
- /ˌnɒnʃəˈlɑːntli/
- 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.
- 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.
- Like is just too nonchalantly talking about me.
- Like, just so nonchalantly, like, just like, oh, that was just like normal.
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
In a calm, steady way without showing anger or nervousness
In a relaxed, not very careful way
In a calm way that shows little worry or emotion
Showing no interest or care
Without showing surprise or worry
In a casual, confident way that shows no worry
In a light, careless way that shows little worry
Acting naturally without worrying about what other people think
In a relaxed way without worry
In a way that shows no worry or interest
To act calmly without showing fear
In a casual way that shows little worry or care
Calmly without showing any emotion
Not acting or protesting when something unfair happens
Antonyms
How Unconcerned
Surface Forms
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.