definitions
  • synonyms

offhand

[ awf-hand, of- ]
/ ˈɔfˈhænd, ˈɒf- /
||

adverb

cavalierly, curtly, or brusquely: to reply offhand.
without previous thought or preparation; extempore: to decide offhand to take a trip.

adjective

informal, casual, curt, or brusque: an offhand manner.
Also off·hand·ed. done or made offhand.
Glassmaking. working manually and without the use of molds: offhand blowing.

Nearby words

offer document, offer price, offering, offering price, offertory, offhand, offiah, office, office automation, office bearer, office block

Origin of offhand

First recorded in 1685–95; off + hand
SYNONYMS FOR offhand
1 short, shortly, abruptly.
3, 4 impromptu, extempore.
ANTONYMS FOR offhand
4 considered.
Related formsoff·hand·ed·ly, adverboff·hand·ed·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for offhanded

British Dictionary definitions for offhanded

offhand

/ (ˌɒfˈhænd) /

adjective, adverb Also: offhanded

without care, thought, or consideration; sometimes, brusque or ungraciousan offhand manner
without preparation or warning; impromptu
Derived Formsoffhandedly, adverboffhandedness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012