Offhanded Definition & Meaning
offhanded
- adverb
- without previous thought or preparation; "couldn't give the figures offhand"; "we decided offhand to go to Canada"; "she had made these remarks offhandedly"
- in a casually inconsiderate manner; "replied offhand, his mind a million miles away"; "she threw him over offhandedly without even a Dear-John letter"
- adjective
- with little or no preparation or forethought; "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"
- casually thoughtless or inconsiderate; "an offhand manner"; "she treated most men with offhand contempt"
Words that rhyme with offhanded
Usage tips for "offhanded"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "offhanded" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for offhanded to find words that pair well.