What does nonchalance mean?
Nonchalance means being calm and relaxed in circumstances where worry, excitement, or discomfort might be expected. It often suggests an impressive degree of self-control: a person may remain composed during an emergency, difficult conversation, or unexpected event. The word can also have a mildly critical edge when it describes someone who seems deliberately unconcerned or performs casualness as a social disguise. In a positive context, nonchalance conveys ease, assurance, and emotional control; in a negative one, it can imply apathy, denial, or an attempt to hide nervousness. The related adjective nonchalant describes such a manner directly, as in “he remained nonchalant,” while nonchalantly indicates that an action is performed in that spirit. Nonchalance is especially useful in literary and formal English when the contrast between outward calm and underlying difficulty is important.
nounA calm and relaxed manner, especially in a situation where some anxiety, discomfort, or concern might be expected. It can imply either genuine composure or a deliberate display of indifference.
- A state of calmness and composure, especially when a person might reasonably feel anxious or disturbed.
- An outwardly relaxed or indifferent attitude, sometimes used to suggest that someone is deliberately concealing concern.
"She continued the conversation with surprising nonchalance, despite the sudden disruption."
"The witness described the defendant's nonchalance as disturbing, given the seriousness of the situation."
"He examined the unusual object with nonchalance, as though he encountered such things every day."
The plural is rare because the word normally describes a manner or quality rather than a countable object.
"The critic contrasted the performers' apparent nonchalances with the tension visible behind the scenes."
Nonchalance is the art of appearing perfectly relaxed while the world around you is anything but.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nonchalance come from?
The word entered English in the 19th century from French nonchalance, a noun meaning carelessness or lack of concern. French nonchalance is formed from non-, meaning “not,” and chance, in the sense of luck or fortune. The related English adjective nonchalant was borrowed through the same French vocabulary, while chance itself has roots in Latin and Old French words associated with luck and fortune. The English noun developed a broad meaning covering both relaxed composure and deliberate indifference.
How nonchalance is actually used
The word is formal and often carries a slightly literary tone. It can describe genuine calmness, but it is also used critically to suggest that someone is trying to appear relaxed or unconcerned. The related adjective is nonchalant, and the adverb is nonchalantly.
Easily confused with nonchalance
Indifference emphasizes a lack of concern or interest, whereas nonchalance more specifically describes a calm, relaxed manner in the presence of something potentially troubling.