offhand Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Offhand as an Adjective
Without planning or thinking ahead.
She gave an offhand speech.
Careless; without sufficient thought or consideration.
He doesn't realise how hurtful his offhand remarks can be.
Curt, abrupt, unfriendly.
She was quite offhand with me yesterday.
Offhand as an Adverb
Right away, immediately, without thinking about it.
Offhand, I'd guess that that's a yellow-bellied sapsucker.
In an abrupt or unfriendly manner.
In an offhand manner.
Offhand in a Sentence
She gave an offhand speech.
He doesn't realise how hurtful his offhand remarks can be.
She was quite offhand with me yesterday.
Offhand, I'd guess that that's a yellow-bellied sapsucker.
Word Forms & Grammar
offhand (comparative more offhand, superlative most offhand)
Words That Rhyme With Offhand
Origin of Offhand
From Middle English *ofhande, *ofhende, from Old English ofhende (“absent, lost”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *abahandijaz. Equivalent to (and re-formed as) off- + hand. Cognate with Icelandic afhendur. Compare onhand.
Offhand: Key Facts
| Part of speech | adjective, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˌɔfˈhænd/ |
| Meaning | Without planning or thinking ahead |
| Comparative / superlative | more offhand, most offhand |