offhand

  • 1Offhand — Off hand , a. Instant; unprepared; ready; extemporaneous; unrehearsed; as, an offhand speech; offhand excuses; an offhand comment. adv. In an offhand manner; as, he replied offhand. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2offhand — [adj1] abrupt, careless aloof, breezy, brusque, casual, cavalier, cool*, curt, easygoing, folksy, glib, informal, laid back, mellow, perfunctory, unceremonious, unconcerned, uninterested; concepts 267,401,542 Ant. calculated, careful, considered …

    New thesaurus

  • 3offhand — [ôf′hand′, ôf′hand΄] adv. without prior preparation or study; at once; extemporaneously adj. 1. said or done offhand; extemporaneous; unpremeditated 2. casual, curt, informal, brusque, etc.: Also offhanded offhandedly adv. offhandedness n …

    English World dictionary

  • 4offhand — index cursory, impulsive (rash), informal, nonchalant, perfunctory, slipshod, unpremeditated Burto …

    Law dictionary

  • 5offhand — *extemporaneous, extempore, extemporary, improvised, impromptu, unpremeditated Analogous words: casual, desultory, *random: abrupt, hasty, sudden, *precipitate, impetuous: brusque, curt, blunt (see BLUFF) Contrasted words: studied, advised,… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 6offhand — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ ungraciously nonchalant or cool in manner. ► ADVERB ▪ without previous consideration …

    English terms dictionary

  • 7offhand — offhandedly, adv. offhandedness, n. /awf 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 …

    Universalium

  • 8offhand — off|hand1 [ˌɔfˈhænd US ˌo:f ] adj 1.) BrE not very friendly towards someone when you are talking to them ▪ She said you were a bit offhand with her this afternoon. ▪ an offhand tone of voice 2.) said or done without thinking or planning ▪ an… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 9offhand — I. adverb Date: 1680 without premeditation or preparation ; extempore < couldn t give the figures offhand > II. adjective Date: 1692 1. casual, informal < a relaxed, offhand manner > …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 10offhand — 1. adjective /ˌɔfˈhænd/ a) without planning or thinking ahead She gave an offhand speech. b) careless; without sufficient thought or consideration He doesnt realise how hurtful his offhand re …

    Wiktionary