off the cuff

1 of 2

phrase

: without preparation : ad lib

speaking off the cuff

off-the-cuff

2 of 2

adjective

ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈkəf 

: not prepared in advance : spontaneous, informal

off-the-cuff remarks

off-the-cuff adverb

Synonyms of off the cuff

Adjective

• impromptu
• improvisational
• improvised

Examples of off the cuff in a Sentence

Adjective

having gotten into hot water with some unfortunate off-the-cuff remarks, the candidate now limits himself to his carefully prepared campaign speech

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Johnston’s seemingly off-the-cuff revelation came just moments before Disney’s corporate communications apparatus fired off an email alert confirming the Big Game’s sellout. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Aug. 2026

You're also restricted to Program exposure for movies, reinforcing that this is a camera for occasional off-the-cuff video clips and not much more. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026

The Final Painting fittingly has a contemplative tone, with slow, spellbound songs that seem both off-the-cuff and profoundly lived in. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 31 July 2026

This wasn’t an off-the-cuff comment that came out poorly during a live discussion. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for off the cuff

• buff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• muff
• puff
• rough
• ruff
• scruff