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adjective

nonchalant

NON-shuhl-uhnt
adjective
1
Calm, relaxed, and seemingly unbothered by something that might normally cause concern.
"He gave a nonchalant shrug when asked about the missed deadline."
"She stayed remarkably nonchalant during the interview, even under tough questions."

How to Use Nonchalant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishActing cool, casual, and unconcerned, even when a situation might call for more reaction.

Common pairings
a nonchalant shrug stay nonchalant nonchalant attitude

Word Forms

more nonchalant comparative, most nonchalant superlative

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He gave a _____ shrug when asked about the missed deadline.

Etymology

From French nonchalant, built from non- ("not") and Latin calere ("to be warm") — literally, "not warming up" about something.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial