offhand

adverb

off·hand | \ ˈȯf-ˈhand

, -ˌhand\

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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about offhand

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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.

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

There’s no huge story arc, just minor connections that are offhand and tangential, with glancing references and winks at the audience. — Mick Lasalle, San Francisco Chronicle, "Ask Mick LaSalle: Don’t ignore huge story arc connecting all ‘Avengers’ movies," 9 May 2018 Morris said Monday the quote was taken out of context and was meant more as a joke or offhand comment. — Jonathan Glover, The Seattle Times, "Jury awards $75,000 to Idaho couple in ‘war on Christmas’ lawsuit," 6 Nov. 2018 For a quick lesson in cool-girl cavalier, look to Bella Hadid, who headed to Jesse Jo Stark's show at the The Peppermint Club on Tuesday night in an offhand aesthetic defined by easy hair, exposed skin, and a group of in-step girlfriends. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Bella Hadid Turns Crop Top Abs and Good Concert Hair Into a Girl's Night Out Win," 29 Aug. 2018 The assortment ranges from bright, easy-to-layer necklaces to beaded hoops and a rainbow of wooden bangles, all of which Levine piles on in a spontaneous, offhand way. — Emily Farra, Vogue, "Summer’s Most Charming Bags Are Made in India, Inspired by Japan, and Arriving in New York Today," 25 June 2018 In the wake of Trump’s unexpected, almost offhand comments to reporters, the Pentagon had nothing to say about the future of the war games. — Washington Post, "Trump contradicts US military stance on Korea war games," 12 June 2018 Mitchum is offhand and amusing as the super-rich tycoon. — James Powers, The Hollywood Reporter, "'What a Way to Go!': THR's 1964 Review," 13 May 2018 The choreography can work in many ways: get Trump to drop another offhand remark about recognizing Crimea’s annexation, stopping NATO exercises in Europe, or allowing Russia back into the G8. — Anna Arutunyan, Time, "No Matter What Happens in Helsinki, Putin Has Already Won," 10 July 2018 Sometimes the multi-prints were built into one piece, like Gilda Ambrosio’s dual-print Prada shirt, while others layered plaid jackets over Hawaiian shirts over striped tees for an eclectic, offhand mix. — Emily Farra, Vogue, "The 8 Street-Style Trends We Saw Outside the Spring 2019 Menswear Shows in Europe," 28 June 2018

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.