offhand
8 synonyms and 3 antonyms for offhand, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Said or done without preparation or careful thought.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Said or done without preparation or careful thought.
“He gave an offhand answer without checking the facts.”
Opposites
2. adv
Without prior thought or preparation; off the top of one's head.
“I can't tell you the exact date offhand, but I'll check.”
offhandedly
offhanded
How to use offhand
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
offhand remark
off the top of my head
an offhand manner
Etymology
From an old sense of "off hand" meaning done immediately, without planning ahead — as if the answer came straight off the hand rather than being carefully worked out.
Full origin of offhand →Frequently asked questions
What does “offhand” mean?
The word “offhand” means said or done without preparation or careful thought. In plain terms, said or done casually, without preparation — or, said of manner, a bit curt.
How do you pronounce “offhand”?
“Offhand” is pronounced awf-HAND (/ˌɔfˈhænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “offhand” in a sentence?
Here is “offhand” used in a sentence: “He gave an offhand answer without checking the facts.”
What is another word for “offhand”?
Words with a similar meaning to “offhand” include extemporaneous and off-the-cuff.
What part of speech is “offhand”?
Depending on how it is used, “offhand” can be an adjective and an adverb.
How many meanings does “offhand” have?
“Offhand” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: said or done without preparation or careful thought.
