offhanded

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UK/ɒfˈhændɪd/US/ɔfˈhændɪd/cot caught merger/ɑfˈhændɪd/

adjective

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

Similar
ad-libextemporaneousextemporaryextemporeimpromptuoffhandoff-the-cuffunrehearsed
First used 18th c.Scrabble 20
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Meanings

adjectiveoffhanded (comparative more offhanded, superlative most offhanded)

comparative more offhanded · superlative most offhanded · alternative off-handed

  1. In a casual or curt style, without preparation or thought; impromptu, offhand.First known use 18th c.

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectivewith little or no preparation or forethought

Similar
ad-libextemporaneousextemporaryextemporeimpromptuoffhandoff-the-cuffunrehearsedunprepared

adjectivecasually thoughtless or inconsiderate

Similar
offhandcareless

adverbwithout previous thought or preparation

Similar
offhandoffhandedly

adverbin a casually inconsiderate manner

Similar
offhandoffhandedly
Also see
extemporaneousextemporaryextemporeimpromptuoffhandoffhandedlyoff-the-cuffunrehearsed

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

Alteration of offhand, after off- + handed.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

offhanded. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/offhanded

MLA

“offhanded.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/offhanded. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “offhanded,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/offhanded.

Source: offhanded on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.