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

For his part, MLS commissioner Don Garber’s off-the-cuff take was well-nigh poetic. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026

Property management teams are encouraged to converse with residents to gain their off-the-cuff thoughts about the value of different amenities, Khouri says. — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Lines that seem artlessly off-the-cuff on first pass accrue an unexpected weight and purpose the fourth time through; the countrified guitar lick that sounds so chipper at the start of a song is dripping with melancholy by the end. — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 4 June 2026

This monologue, somewhat off-the-cuff and emotional, is one of the moments where the former disappeared and the latter became beloved. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 20 May 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