offhand

UK: /ɒfˈhændɪd/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

off•hand /ˈɔfˈhænd, ˈɑf-/   adj. 

1. without thought beforehand;
   unplanned;
   casual:
   offhand remarks.

Also, ˈoffˈhand•ed.  off•hand•ed•ly, adv. 
off•hand•ed•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

off•hand  (ôf′hand′, of′-), adv. 

1. cavalierly, curtly, or brusquely:
   to reply offhand.
2. without previous thought or preparation;
   extempore:
   to decide offhand to take a trip.

adj. 

3. informal, casual, curt, or brusque:
   an offhand manner.
4. Also, off′hand′ed. done or made offhand.
5. Ceramics [Glassmaking.] working manually and without the use of molds:
   offhand blowing.

• off + hand 1685–95

off′hand′ed•ly, adv. 
off′hand′ed•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. short, shortly, abruptly.
• 3, 4. impromptu, extempore.

Antonyms

• 4. considered.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

offhand / ˌɒfˈhænd/ adjective , adverb
also: offhanded

1. without care, thought, or consideration; sometimes, brusque or ungracious: an offhand manner
2. without preparation or warning; impromptu

ˌoffˈhandedly adverb

ˌoffˈhandedness noun