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nonchalant
adjective
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chalant the opposite of nonchalant?
There is no word chalant in English. Nonchalant comes from an Old French word nonchaloir, meaning "to disregard." That word comes from non-, meaning "not," + chaloir, meaning "to concern." If you want a word that means the opposite of nonchalant, both concerned and interested can do the job.
Is nonchalant a bad or negative thing?
Nonchalant can be either negative or positive. The word describes someone who is relaxed and calm in a way that shows that they do not care or are not worried about something. If someone is nonchalant about another person's pain or trouble, the word has a definite negative connotation. But if someone successfully undertaking a difficult task is described as nonchalant, their calmness and relaxed manner can be admirable. If they fail in that task, however, the fact that they were nonchalant will likely be a criticism and explanation for their failure.
What does it mean when someone is nonchalant?
Someone who is nonchalant is relaxed and calm, either because they do not care about something or because they are not worried about something.
Synonyms
cool, composed, collected, unruffled, imperturbable, nonchalant mean free from agitation or excitement.
cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.
composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.
collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.
unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.
imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.
nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.
Examples of nonchalant in a Sentence
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Cite this Entry
“Nonchalant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonchalant. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
nonchalant
adjectiveMore from Merriam-Webster on nonchalant
Nglish: Translation of nonchalant for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of nonchalant for Arabic Speakers
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