WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
off•hand /ˈɔfˈhænd, ˈɑf-/USA pronunciation
adj.
off•hand•ed•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- without thought beforehand;
unplanned;
casual:offhand remarks.
off•hand•ed•ness, n. [uncountable]
off•hand
(ôf′hand′, of′-),USA pronunciation adv.
adj.
off′hand′ed•ly, adv.
off′hand′ed•ness, n.
- cavalierly, curtly, or brusquely:to reply offhand.
- without previous thought or preparation;
extempore:to decide offhand to take a trip.
adj.
- informal, casual, curt, or brusque:an offhand manner.
- Also, off′hand′ed. done or made offhand.
- Ceramics[Glassmaking.]working manually and without the use of molds:offhand blowing.
- off + hand 1685–95
off′hand′ed•ness, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged short, shortly, abruptly.
- 3, 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged impromptu, extempore.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged considered.