Casual Vocabulary

noun a tool with bristles or other filaments used for cleaning, grooming, or painting

verb to push or move something away, typically with a sweeping motion

• The CEO decided to brush aside the concerns raised by the shareholders during the meeting.
• I know you want to brush aside your responsibilities, but you need to take them seriously.
• She tried to brush aside the rumors about her, but everyone knew the truth.
• You can't just brush aside your emotions and pretend everything is okay.

noun informal term for a person of either sex

adjective relating to or characteristic of a man or men

• The guy who delivered the package was very professional and courteous.
• I met this guy at the party who was really funny and outgoing.
• That guy is always up to something, you can't trust him.
• He's the kind of guy who always has a trick up his sleeve.

adjective relaxed, casual, not formal or official in nature

• The informal meeting will take place in the conference room.
• Let's just have a quick chat in the break room.
• Hey, wanna catch up in the cafeteria for a gossip sesh?
• We can have an informal powwow in the lounge area.

noun informal term for a very short period of time

adverb at great speed or rapidly

• The project was completed lickety split, ahead of schedule.
• I'll be there lickety split, don't worry!
• Let's finish this job lickety split and grab some beers.
• The news spread through the town like wildfire, with everyone talking about it lickety split.

noun a person who lollygags or engages in aimless activities

verb to spend time aimlessly or to dawdle

• The employees were warned not to lollygag during work hours.
• Stop lollygagging and get back to work!
• Quit lollygagging around and start doing something productive.
• Don't lollygag when it comes to pursuing your dreams, take action now.

adjective having an air of easy unconcern or indifference

• The CEO remained nonchalant during the board meeting, despite the challenging questions.
• She acted all nonchalant when I asked her about the party, like it wasn't a big deal.
• He was so nonchalant about the whole situation, like he didn't even care.
• Her nonchalant attitude towards her studies eventually caught up with her when she failed the exam.

noun used to express strong denial or disbelief

adverb in no manner or degree; not at all

• There is noway that we can proceed without proper authorization.
• Noway am I going to that party, it's too far.
• Noway I'm gonna let that slide.
• There is noway to predict the outcome of this situation.

verb to talk or act in a trivial or foolish manner

adjective trivial or insignificant

• The company refused to waste time on such a piffling matter.
• I don't understand why you're getting worked up over such a piffling issue.
• Stop stressing about that piffling stuff, it's not worth it.
• His grand plans made my own ambitions seem piffling in comparison.

noun material, items, or things

verb to fill or pack tightly with material

adjective informal term meaning miscellaneous or unspecified items

• The storage unit is filled with a variety of stuff that needs to be organized.
• I have a bunch of stuff to bring to the party tonight.
• Let's go check out the new stuff at the mall.
• She always carries around emotional stuff from her past.

adjective not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed

• The restaurant's atmosphere is unpretentious, with simple decor and affordable prices.
• I love how unpretentious this cafe is, it feels like a cozy home away from home.
• The bar down the street is super chill and unpretentious, perfect for a casual night out.
• Her unpretentious attitude towards life is refreshing, she doesn't care about materialistic things.

noun an extremely large, unspecified number or amount

• The company invested a zillion dollars in their latest project.
• I've told you a zillion times to clean your room.
• There were like a zillion people at the concert last night.
• Her smile lit up the room like a zillion fireflies.

verb an action word expressing the act of urging or encouraging someone to go ahead or proceed

interjection an exclamation used to show encouragement or approval

• Please proceed with the task at hand.
• Go 'ed and give it a try!
• Just go 'ed and see what happens.
• Sometimes you just have to go 'ed and take a leap of faith.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific person, place, thing, or idea

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse

• During the meeting, the CEO referred to the new employee as 'what’s-her-face' because he couldn't remember her name.
• I ran into that guy from the party, you know, what’s-his-face, at the grocery store.
• I can't believe that what’s-her-face got the promotion over me, it's so unfair.
• She's always hanging out with what’s-his-face, I think they might be dating.

noun a very large but unspecified number

• The company reported a bajillion dollars in revenue last quarter.
• I have a bajillion things to do before the deadline.
• I've told you a bajillion times to clean your room!
• Her love for him was like a bajillion stars shining in the sky.