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Meanings of offhand in English

With little or no preparation or forethought.

Related terms

In a casually inconsiderate manner.

Usage of offhand in English
1
That said; it's possible that an offhand comment will actually be useful!
The South African
2
But offhand, I can't see a situation such as you describe arising.
The Great Book of Amber
3
I did not minimize that danger, despite Ramses's offhand request for assistance.
A river in the sky
4
So she approached the twins respectfully, and said in an offhand way:
Prudence of the Parsonage
5
The words unintentionally came out sounding too offhand, impudent rather than apologetic.
Halo
6
The offhand dismissal of the subject put her on the defensive too.
Mildred Pierce
7
One cannot affirm offhand that we are floating on the battered hull.
Shallow Soil
8
It was a bit of offhand folly born of an anxious moment.
A Man for the Ages: A Story of the Builders of Democracy
9
You'd go at it slap-dash, and arrest Levison offhand on the charge.
East Lynne
10
I can't remember it offhand, but I bet Violet Tranh would know.
End of Watch
11
Twenty-seven yards, or about two-thirds the distance, if the shot was offhand.
Sergeant York And His People
12
But offhand, I'd say do nothing to the boy who made you.
Fat vampire: a never coming of age story
13
Getting up to get more tea, she made an ostensibly offhand comment.
The Land of Painted Caves
14
Without meaning to pun, we may dismiss the claims of palmistry offhand.
The Foundations of Personality
15
Jason's offhand acceptance of her apology endeared him to her even more.
The manning grooms: bride on the loose\same time, next year
16
He still strove for an offhand gaiety that he did not feel.
The Bat
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Offhand through the time
Offhand across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common
United States of America
Common