Word
offhand
Phoneticsoff·hand, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɔfˈhænd/
UK/ˈɒfhænd/
Definition
adj. you say or do something without planning or thinking much first. You use it for quick, casual comments or answers.
adj. spoken or done without preparation or careful thought, often in a casual or spontaneous way. Typically describes remarks, answers, or manner.
Examples
“She makes an offhand joke about the cold weather.”
“During the meeting he makes an offhand remark about delays that worries the whole team.”
“What sounded like an offhand comment about moving abroad later revealed months of quiet planning and doubt.”
Examples
simple
“She makes an offhand joke about the cold weather.”
contextual
“During the meeting he makes an offhand remark about delays that worries the whole team.”
complex
“What sounded like an offhand comment about moving abroad later revealed months of quiet planning and doubt.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “offhand” in context.
Verb
01. answer offhand
“I answered offhand without checking the facts first.”
verb + adj
02. reply offhand
“She replied offhand that she was too busy to help.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. offhand comment
“She made an offhand comment about his shirt that really offended him.”
adj + noun
04. offhand joke
“It was just an offhand joke, I didn't mean to hurt you.”
adj + noun
05. offhand observation
“Her offhand observation about the budget started a long debate.”
adj + noun
06. offhand remark
“His offhand remark about the exam made everyone nervous.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. in offhand manner
“He mentioned the layoffs in an offhand manner that shocked staff.”
prep + adj + noun
08. in offhand way
“She waved in an offhand way and went back to work.”
prep + adj + noun
09. can't answer offhand
“I can't answer offhand, I'll need to check the figures first.”
10. make an offhand comment
“He made an offhand comment about prices that upset the customers.”
11. make an offhand remark
“She made an offhand remark about his age and immediately apologised.”
12. say in an offhand way
“He said in an offhand way that he might quit his job.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also follows linking verbs such as 'be' or 'seem'.
Real-World Examples
“In reality I was savaged in a minor, offhand way that I still don’t really get.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
PHRASAL VERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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