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offhand

 - 2 dictionary results

off⋅hand

[awf-hand, of-]
–adverb
1. cavalierly, curtly, or brusquely: to reply offhand.
2. without previous thought or preparation; extempore: to decide offhand to take a trip.
–adjective
3. informal, casual, curt, or brusque: an offhand manner.
4. Also, offhanded. done or made offhand.
5. Glassmaking. working manually and without the use of molds: offhand blowing.

Origin:
1685–95; off + hand


off⋅hand⋅ed⋅ly, adverb
off⋅hand⋅ed⋅ness, noun


1. short, shortly, abruptly. 3, 4. impromptu, extempore.


4. considered.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To offhand
off·hand   (ôf'hānd', ŏf'-)   
adv.  Without preparation or forethought; extemporaneously.
adj.   also off·hand·ed (-hānd'ĭd)
Performed or expressed without preparation or forethought. See Synonyms at extemporaneous.
off'hand'ed·ly adv., off'hand'ed·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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