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
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.
Offhand, Miss Manners cannot think of the word to describe the bond your sons feel, but has no problem with your mentioning them among those who are bereaved.
From Washington Post • Sep. 20, 2022
Offhand, he mentioned to Toombs that he’d seen a similar seaweed selling at a local grocery for close to $60 a pound.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2022
Offhand, I cannot think of many researchers who haven’t tacitly adopted some dubious universalist assumptions.
From New York Times • Sep. 12, 2020
SLOUKA: Offhand I can’t think of any words that have been used to describe my writing, good or bad.
From Salon • Oct. 18, 2016
Offhand, I couldn’t think of one, except the plywood roadrunner.
From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli
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.
