Standard Lemma guide

offhanded

adj · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɒfˈhændɪd/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ɔfˈhændɪd/
  • cot-caught-merger: /ɑfˈhændɪd/

1

adj

Meaning 1

In a casual or curt style, without preparation or thought; impromptu, offhand.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

casually thoughtless or inconsiderate

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an offhand manner
  • she treated most men with offhand contempt

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: offhand

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

with little or no preparation or forethought

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • his ad-lib comments showed poor judgment
  • an extemporaneous piano recital
  • an extemporary lecture
  • an extempore skit
  • an impromptu speech
  • offhand excuses
  • trying to sound offhanded and reassuring
  • an off-the-cuff toast
  • a few unrehearsed comments

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ad-lib, extemporaneous, extemporary, extempore, impromptu, offhand, off-the-cuff, unrehearsed

Antonyms: none provided

4

adverb

Meaning 4

in a casually inconsiderate manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • replied offhand, his mind a million miles away
  • she threw him over offhandedly without even a Dear-John letter

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: offhand, offhandedly

Antonyms: none provided

5

adverb

Meaning 5

without previous thought or preparation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • couldn't give the figures offhand
  • we decided offhand to go to Canada
  • she had made these remarks offhandedly

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: offhand, offhandedly

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Alteration of offhand, after off- + handed.