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What is "offhand" in English? Definition and Explanations

Updated: 16-06-2026 by Wikilanguages.net
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What does offhand mean in English? Meaning of offhand definition and abbreviation with examples.

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What is "offhand" in English? Definition and Explanations

Meaning of "offhand": with little or no preparation or forethought

Adjective

  • Meaning: with little or no preparation or forethought
  • Example: his ad-lib comments showed poor judgment an extemporaneous piano recital 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
  • Synonyms: ad-lib extemporaneous extemporary extempore impromptu off-the-cuff offhand offhanded unrehearsed
  • Similar: unprepared

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˌɔfˈhænd/

    Meaning of "offhand": without previous thought or preparation

    Adverb

  • Meaning: without previous thought or preparation
  • Example: couldn't give the figures offhand we decided offhand to go to Canada she had made these remarks offhandedly
  • Synonyms: offhand offhanded offhandedly

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˌɔfˈhænd/

    Meaning of "offhand": casually thoughtless or inconsiderate

    Adjective

  • Meaning: casually thoughtless or inconsiderate
  • Example: an offhand manner she treated most men with offhand contempt
  • Synonyms: offhand offhanded
  • Similar: careless

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˌɔfˈhænd/

    Meaning of "offhand": in a casually inconsiderate manner

    Adverb

  • Meaning: in a casually inconsiderate manner
  • Example: replied offhand, his mind a million miles away she threw him over offhandedly without even a Dear-John letter
  • Synonyms: offhand offhanded offhandedly

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˌɔfˈhænd/

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    offhand in English: offhand
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