Vastny Languages editorial team
Casual, everyday, informal, and ordinary: what's the difference?
Casual and informal can describe a relaxed style without formality. Everyday means usual or used daily. Ordinary means not unusual or special; it can sound dismissive in some contexts.
Casual and informal can describe a relaxed style without formality. Everyday means usual or used daily. Ordinary means not unusual or special; it can sound dismissive in some contexts.
Which word fits here?
Use casual for relaxed clothing, behaviour or style, or something not carefully planned.
Use everyday as an adjective for normal daily things. Every day is two words when it means each day.
Use informal for language, clothes or occasions that do not follow formal conventions.
Use ordinary for something usual or not special. It does not automatically mean relaxed or informal.
How to choose a word
Use casual for relaxed clothing, behaviour or style, or something not carefully planned.
Use everyday as an adjective for normal daily things. Every day is two words when it means each day.
Use informal for language, clothes or occasions that do not follow formal conventions.
Use ordinary for something usual or not special. It does not automatically mean relaxed or informal.
Word by word
casual
Use casual for relaxed clothing, behaviour or style, or something not carefully planned.
Wear casual clothes to the picnic.
everyday
Use everyday as an adjective for normal daily things. Every day is two words when it means each day.
These are my everyday shoes — I wear them all the time.
informal
Use informal for language, clothes or occasions that do not follow formal conventions.
We had an informal meeting, so no suits were required.
ordinary
Use ordinary for something usual or not special. It does not automatically mean relaxed or informal.
It's just an ordinary T‑shirt, nothing fancy.
