Pronunciations (2)
-
/ˌɔfˈhænd/
Pronunciation notes
- US
-
ˌɔfˈhænd
Pronunciation notes
- US
Adjective
Without planning or thinking ahead.
- Examples
-
She gave an offhand speech.
He must also be fluent in obscenity, offhand in sex. Most important of all, he must play tough.
Careless; without sufficient thought or consideration.
- Examples
-
He doesn't realise how hurtful his offhand remarks can be.
More examples (1)
In September 2019, on the papal plane en route to Mozambique, Francis acknowledged the sharp opposition he faced from conservative detractors in the United States in an offhand remark. He said, it was “an honor that the Americans attack me.”
Curt, abrupt, unfriendly.
- Examples
-
She was quite offhand with me yesterday.
Adverb
Right away, immediately, without thinking about it.
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
Offhand, I'd guess that that's a yellow-bellied sapsucker.
We will have no more of this shilly-shallying! Call the Archbishop, and let the Prince and Princess be married offhand!
In an abrupt or unfriendly manner.
Adjective
with little or no preparation or forethought
- Examples
-
his ad-lib comments showed poor judgment
an extemporaneous piano recital
More examples (7)
an extemporary lecture
an extempore skit
an impromptu speech
offhand excuses
trying to sound offhanded and reassuring
an off-the-cuff toast
a few unrehearsed comments
casually thoughtless or inconsiderate
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
an offhand manner
she treated most men with offhand contempt
Adverb
without previous thought or preparation
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
couldn't give the figures offhand
we decided offhand to go to Canada
More examples (1)
she had made these remarks offhandedly
in a casually inconsiderate manner
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
replied offhand, his mind a million miles away
she threw him over offhandedly without even a Dear-John letter