offhand

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See also: off-hand

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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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.

Pronunciation

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  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌɔfˈhænd/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ænd

Adjective

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offhand (comparative more offhand, superlative most offhand)

  1. Without planning or thinking ahead.
    She gave an offhand speech.
  2. Careless; without sufficient thought or consideration.
    He doesn't realise how hurtful his offhand remarks can be.
  3. Curt, abrupt, unfriendly.
    She was quite offhand with me yesterday.

Synonyms

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Translations

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See also

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Adverb

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offhand (comparative more offhand, superlative most offhand)

  1. Right away, immediately, without thinking about it.
    Synonym: out of hand
    Offhand, I'd guess that that's a yellow-bellied sapsucker.
    • 1854, William Makepeace Thackeray, The Rose and the Ring:
      We will have no more of this shilly-shallying! Call the Archbishop, and let the Prince and Princess be married offhand!
  2. In an abrupt or unfriendly manner.

Translations

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Anagrams

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