offhand meaning and definition

OFFHAND adjective

Definition of offhand (adjective)

1. with little or no preparation or forethought
   • "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, offhanded, off-the-cuff, unrehearsed
2. casually thoughtless or inconsiderate
   • "an offhand manner"; "she treated most men with offhand contempt"
   • synonyms: offhanded

OFFHAND adverb

Definition of offhand (adverb)

1. without previous thought or preparation
   • "couldn't give the figures offhand"; "we decided offhand to go to Canada"; "she had made these remarks offhandedly"
   • synonyms: offhanded, offhandedly
2. in a casually inconsiderate manner
   • "replied offhand, his mind a million miles away"; "she threw him over offhandedly without even a Dear-John letter"
   • synonyms: offhanded, offhandedly