1 offhand | Definition of offhand

offhand

adverb
off·​hand | \ ˈȯf-ˈhand How to pronounce offhand (audio) , -ËŒhand\

Definition of offhand

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: without premeditation or preparation : extempore couldn't give the figures offhand

offhand

adjective

Definition of offhand (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : casual, informal a relaxed, offhand manner
2 : done or made offhand offhand excuses

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Examples of offhand in a Sentence

Adverb

I couldn't give them the figures offhand. Do you happen to know, offhand, when he'll be back?

Adjective

It was just an offhand remark. She spoke in an offhand manner.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

His willingness to eat what the locals eat, not dismiss it offhand as weird or scary but to shine a light on it, opened a window for his viewers to the food of Thailand that will be felt for a long time. Anna Spoerre, OregonLive.com, "Portland police offering $20,000 for information about 2017 homicide," 12 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Trump, who often seems most comfortable on rally stages with deeply partisan crowds, has not excelled at projecting empathy, mixing what can sound like perfunctory expressions of grief with awkward offhand remarks. Jill Colvin, chicagotribune.com, "As Trump heads to sites of mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, his divisive words collide with his call for unity," 6 Aug. 2019 Trump, who often seems most comfortable on rally stages with deeply partisan crowds, has not excelled at projecting empathy in public, often mixing what can sound like perfunctory expressions of grief with awkward offhand remarks. Jill Colvin, The Denver Post, "Trump faces protests as he visits Dayton, El Paso following mass shootings," 7 Aug. 2019 Trump, who often seems most comfortable on rally stages with deeply partisan crowds, has not excelled at projecting empathy, mixing what can sound like perfunctory expressions of grief with awkward offhand remarks. Jill Colvin, Fortune, "Trump Will Speak in Dayton and El Paso Today Following Mass Shootings," 7 Aug. 2019 But Theo, played with cool, offhand chauvinism by Eddie Kaye Thomas, is quickly distracted by greed when a series of smitten male boarders who witnessed the undergarment indiscretion arrive to rent a room in the Maske home. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Steve Martin’s ‘Underpants’ is frilly fun at Old Globe," 2 Aug. 2019 Along with luxury brands wanting a piece of the pie, fashion houses like Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton have created sneakers with offhand designs while also tapping into a new market. Nandi Howard, Essence, "These Are The Hottest Sneakers To Buy Right Now," 1 Aug. 2019 And there are worries that even casual, offhand comments can desensitize people to prejudiced tropes that can marginalize and demonize Jews. Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, "With antisemitism on the rise, criticism of Israel fuels political charges of hate," 11 July 2019 The streak started after an offhand remark made by one of Larry’s brothers in the Society of Marianists. Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: Father Lawrence Schottelkotte has run every day for 40 years. It takes faith to do it.," 29 June 2019 Again, this comes courtesy of an interview at Star Wars Celebration, this one with Skywalker Sound’s Matthew Wood, who seemingly revealed the game’s existence in an offhand comment. Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Lego Star Wars returns, Ubisoft gives away Assassin's Creed: Unity after Notre Dame fire," 15 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'offhand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of offhand

Adverb

1680, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for offhand

offhand

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of offhand

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: without previous thought or preparation

offhand

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of offhand (Entry 2 of 2)

: done or made without previous thought or preparation
: casual or informal
off·​hand | \ ˈȯf-ˈhand How to pronounce offhand (audio) \

Kids Definition of offhand

: without previous thought or preparation I can't say offhand who came. He spoke in a very loud, offhand way …— Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

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More from Merriam-Webster on offhand

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with offhand

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for offhand

Spanish Central: Translation of offhand

Nglish: Translation of offhand for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of offhand for Arabic Speakers