What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
casual
Example
She wore a casual outfit consisting of jeans and a t-shirt. [casual: adjective]
Example
Let's have a casual lunch at the cafe down the street. [casual: adjective]
pair
Example
I bought a new pair of shoes yesterday. [pair: noun]
Example
The police officers worked together as a pair to solve the case. [pair: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Casual is more commonly used in everyday language, especially when talking about clothing or behavior. Pair is less common but is still widely understood and used when referring to sets of two things or people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between casual and pair?
Both casual and pair can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, casual is more commonly associated with an informal tone, while pair is neutral and can be used in various formality levels.