Definition of offhand
:without premeditation or preparation :extempore
- couldn't give the figures offhand
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Examples of offhand in a Sentence
I couldn't give them the figures offhand.
Do you happen to know, offhand, when he'll be back?
First Known Use of offhand
1680
Definition of offhand
Examples of offhand in a Sentence
It was just an offhand remark.
She spoke in an offhand manner.
Recent Examples of offhand from the Web
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The story of Neverland may seem like a child’s dream come true, but as Barrie’s macabre, offhand comments hint, perhaps the phenomenon of never growing old is not necessarily thrilling, but rather tragic.
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But as President, even his offhand remarks carry the weight of official policy.
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The movie takes an oblique, almost offhand approach to narrative for its first hour.
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Our first invitation from Mrs. Graham was verbal and offhand, issued at a memorial service in June of 1989 for former Washington Post managing editor Howard Simons.
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Our first invitation from Mrs. Graham was verbal and offhand, issued at a memorial service in June of 1989 for former Washington Post managing editor Howard Simons.
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Our first invitation from Mrs. Graham was verbal and offhand, issued at a memorial service in June of 1989 for former Washington Post managing editor Howard Simons.
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Our first invitation from Mrs. Graham was verbal and offhand, issued at a memorial service in June of 1989 for former Washington Post managing editor Howard Simons.
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Their every back-and-forth has verbal snap as well as the offhand intimacy of people with a deep bond.
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.
First Known Use of offhand
circa 1668
offhand Synonyms
Synonyms
ad hoc, ad-lib, down and dirty, extemporary, extempore, impromptu, improvisational, improvised, extemporaneous, offhanded, off-the-cuff, snap, spur-of-the-moment, unconsidered, unplanned, unpremeditated, unprepared, unrehearsed, unstudiedAntonyms
considered, planned, premeditated, premeditative, prepared, rehearsedRelated Words
unscripted; automatic, impulsive, instinctive, involuntary, spontaneous; casual, cursive, informal, unauthorized; half-baked, half-cocked, ill-advisedNear Antonyms
deliberate, intended, intentionalOFFHAND Defined for English Language Learners
offhand
play
adverb
Definition of offhand for English Language Learners
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: without previous thought or preparation
offhand
adjective
Definition of offhand for English Language Learners
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: done or made without previous thought or preparation
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: casual or informal
OFFHAND Defined for Kids
offhand
play
adverb or adjective
off·hand
\
ˈȯf-ˈhand
\
Definition of offhand for Students
:without previous thought or preparation
- I can't say offhand who came.
- He spoke in a very loud, offhand way …
- —Anna Sewell, Black Beauty
Learn More about offhand
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See 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
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