désinvolte

casual, offhand

adjective deh-zahn-VOLT Rare

Origin: from Italian disinvolto (nimble, unconstrained)

Also means

nonchalant

Usage Note

Désinvolte describes a relaxed, breezy manner that can shade into rudeness or a lack of due seriousness. The noun désinvolture captures this quality: avec désinvolture means 'in an offhand way'. It is stronger than décontracté (relaxed) and can imply a disrespectful lack of concern for others.

Examples

"Il a répondu de façon désinvolte aux questions du jury."

Natural Translation

He answered the panel's questions in an offhand manner.

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