nonchalant

[non-shuh-lahnt, non-shuh-lahnt, -luhnt]

adjective

1. coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; casual.

   His nonchalant manner infuriated me.

   Synonyms: composed, collected, calm, cool
   Antonyms: excitable

nonchalant

/ ˈnɒnʃələnt /

adjective

1. casually unconcerned or indifferent; uninvolved

Other Word Forms

• nonchalantly adverb
• nonchalance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonchalant¹

First recorded in 1725–35; from French nonchalant, present participle of obsolete nonchaloir “to lack warmth (of heart), be indifferent,” equivalent to non- prefix meaning “not” + chaloir, from Latin calēre “to be warm”; non-, -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonchalant¹

C18: from French, from nonchaloir to lack warmth, from _non- + chaloir, from Latin calēre to be warm

Example Sentences

However, with the nonchalant dance-funk of “Freedom! ’90” — a pedestal-detonating manifesto on which he announces “I don’t belong to you/And you don’t belong to me” — Michael takes pleasure in ripping up his playbook.

From Salon

L.A.’s nonchalant highhandedness can gall today as it did 101 years ago when it precipitated what secessionists hailed as the “day of deliverance” from the “imperial county.”

From Los Angeles Times

At his most nonchalant, he’s doing an Oliver impression.

From Los Angeles Times

I wasn’t sure what scared me more, the thought of the tourists being attacked, or the way they were all so nonchalant in the face of danger creeping right up to them.

From Salon

One episode explores how Gehry, about a decade older than the others, both profoundly influenced and often overshadowed the group — a reality that was perhaps reinforced by his nonchalant dominance in the photo itself.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aloof 
• apathetic 
• casual 
• detached 
• dispassionate 
• effortless 
• lackadaisical 
• lukewarm 
• mellow 
• offhand 
• unconcerned 
• unemotional 
• unflappable 
• unperturbed 
• unruffled