offhand

adverb off·hand \ ˈȯf-ˈhand , -ˌhand \

Updated on: 8 Nov 2017

Definition of offhand

: without premeditation or preparation : extempore

couldn't give the figures offhand

See offhand defined for English-language learners

See offhand defined for kids

Examples of offhand in a Sentence

I couldn't give them the figures offhand.
Do you happen to know, offhand, when he'll be back?

First Known Use of offhand

1680

offhand

adjective

Definition of offhand

1 : casual, informal

a relaxed, offhand manner

2 : done or made offhand

offhand excuses

See offhand defined for English-language learners

See offhand defined for kids

Examples of offhand in a Sentence

It was just an offhand remark.
She spoke in an offhand manner.

Recent Examples of offhand from the Web

Our reviewer’s keenly observant PA followed through on an offhand remark about needing to track down a Chinatown address and surprised the reviewer’s five-year-old sidekick with a kid-size pink bathrobe at turndown.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "Capella Singapore," 20 Oct. 2017
With the disturbing reports about Harvey Weinstein, Sabina’s offhand comment about George pinching girls in dark corridors echoes with fresh-from-the-headlines relevance.

— kerry reid, chicagotribune.com, "Antrobus family is a stand-in for the rest of us in 'Skin of Our Teeth'," 11 Oct. 2017
The offhand remarks sparked an outcry from the athletes and sports analysts and catapulted the third week of the NFL season into the center of a political controversy.

— chelsea bailey, NBC News, "Chicago Police Officers to Be Reprimanded for Taking a Knee in Uniform," 26 Sep. 2017
His ignorant and offhand approach to foreign policy—first and foremost, his seemingly deliberate attempts to weaken and even threaten NATO—has dismayed America’s allies and emboldened its enemies.

— robert dallek, The Hive, "How Will History Judge the Trump Presidency?," 7 Sep. 2017
One result is that offhand remarks, rumors, and the inferences drawn by observers of ambiguous interactions can trigger investigations

— emily yoffe, The Atlantic, "The Uncomfortable Truth About Campus Rape Policy," 6 Sep. 2017
The story of Neverland may seem like a child’s dream come true, but as Barrie’s macabre, offhand comments hint, perhaps the phenomenon of never growing old is not necessarily thrilling, but rather tragic.

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "Lost Play By J.M. Barrie Discovered in Texas Archive," 2 Aug. 2017
Even jokes, satire and offhand remarks can lead to charges and have.

— interview by stephanie saul, New York Times, "‘Victim Feminism’ and Sexual Assault on Campus," 3 Nov. 2017
In Armenia, folk remedies aren’t just offhand suggestions from your grandmother.

— karine vann, Smithsonian, "Why a Modern Cosmetics Company Is Mining Armenia’s Ancient Manuscripts," 22 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'offhand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.