offhand
Americanadverb
adjective
-
informal, casual, curt, or brusque.
an offhand manner.
-
Also offhanded. done or made offhand.
- Antonyms:
- considered
-
Glassmaking. working manually and without the use of molds.
offhand blowing.
adjective
-
without care, thought, or consideration; sometimes, brusque or ungracious
an offhand manner
-
without preparation or warning; impromptu
Other Word Forms
- offhandedly adverb
- offhandedness noun
Etymology
Origin of offhand
Explanation
The adjective offhand describes a remark or comment that is made without previous thought or preparation. If you are at a wedding, you may want to make a few offhand but nice remarks about the newlyweds. As an adjective, offhand can mean careless, brusque, or inconsiderate. You may frequently have to remind young children that offhand comments about people's looks or intelligence can hurt their feelings. Offhand can also be used as an adverb, meaning without thought or planning. You may not be able to say offhand, but do you have any idea how many people are in your class at school?
Vocabulary lists containing offhand
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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The Things They Carried
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Stargirl
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Her nagging conscience slips into offhand conversation: “I should probably be vegan,” Askell, an animal lover too busy for a pet, says when chatting in an office elevator.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent proved my point for me with an offhand comment at Davos.
From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026
Lutnick said he expected Trump to sign documents in the coming days to formalise the decision, which the president revealed in an offhand remark at a televised meeting of his cabinet.
From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred caused a stir when he floated a potential seismic rule by floating, making an offhand comment about the golden batter rule.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025
“You know, Milo, I think Colonel Korn and I might be willing to take the syndicate off your hands,” he suggested in an offhand manner, almost licking his lips in savory anticipation.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
