casual acquaintance
phrase · Collocation / phrase C1
Plain meaning
someone you know slightly but not closely
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam contexts, it means someone you know slightly but not closely, usually in a more formal register.
In context
naturalThe discussion gave us a useful example of casual acquaintance.
examPolicy makers must consider casual acquaintance when evaluating long-term social and economic outcomes.
Common collocations
casual acquaintancea clear example of casual acquaintanceuse casual acquaintance appropriately
Watch out
Do not change the key word order in “casual acquaintance”; collocations sound natural because the words travel together.