VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

nonchalantly

adverb·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˈnɒnʃələntli/
US/ˌnɑːnʃəˈlɑːntli/

“nonchalantly” is a form of “nonchalant”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adverb

    In a calm, relaxed way that suggests you do not care or are not worried.

    Grammar: Modifies a verb: 'he shrugged nonchalantly'. The adjective is 'nonchalant'.

    Patterns

    • say something nonchalantly
    • shrug nonchalantly
    • walk nonchalantly away

    She nonchalantly mentioned that she had won the prize.

    He shrugged nonchalantly and changed the subject.

    The cat strolled nonchalantly across the busy table.

  2. adverbdisapproving

    In a deliberately casual way meant to look cool or unconcerned.

    Grammar: Often describes an action done on purpose to seem calm, not real indifference.

    Patterns

    • act nonchalantly
    • reply nonchalantly

    He leaned nonchalantly against the wall, hoping everyone would notice.

    She answered nonchalantly, though her hands were shaking.

Word forms

adjectivenonchalant
nounnonchalance

Common combinations

shrug nonchalantly
He shrugged nonchalantly when asked about the mistake.
say something nonchalantly
She said it nonchalantly, as if it happened every day.
act nonchalantly
Stop acting nonchalantly; this problem needs attention.
walk nonchalantly
He walked nonchalantly past the guards.
reply nonchalantly
She replied nonchalantly that she had not studied at all.

Synonyms and how they differ

casually
'Casually' stresses a relaxed, informal manner and need not suggest not caring.
indifferently
This shows real lack of interest, while 'nonchalantly' can be a deliberate pose.
coolly
'Coolly' often suggests calm control in a tense moment rather than unconcern.

Opposites

anxiouslynervously

Word family

nonchalant adjective
Calm and apparently unconcerned.
nonchalance noun
A calm, casual manner showing little concern.

Commonly confused: nonchalantly or nonchalant? nonchalantly or nonchalance?

nonchalantly vs nonchalant

This is the adjective: 'a nonchalant reply'. Use 'nonchalantly' to describe how an action is done.

nonchalantly vs nonchalance

This is the noun: 'with studied nonchalance'. Do not use it where an adverb is needed.

Practice

Choose the correct sentence.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “nonchalantly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words