off-hand
/'ɔ:f'hænd/ Cách viết khác : (off-handed) /'ɔ:f'hændid/
Definition
- Adverb:
- Without prior thought or preparation; immediately, extemporaneously: Used to describe something said or done spontaneously, without planning or research.
- Adjective:
- Casual, informal, or unceremonious: Describing a manner that is relaxed, sometimes to the point of seeming careless or brusque.
Usage
- The word is often used to indicate a lack of specific, readily available information or a spontaneous reaction.
- It can describe both an action (adverb) and a personal manner (adjective).
Examples
- Adverb:
- "I can't quote the exact statistics off-hand."
- "She answered the complex question off-hand, surprising everyone."
- Adjective:
- "His off-hand manner sometimes offended more formal clients."
- "She made an off-hand remark that she later regretted."
Advanced Usage
- "In an off-hand way": A common adverbial phrase meaning casually or without careful consideration.
- He dismissed the serious proposal in an off-hand way.
Variants and Related Words
- Offhanded (adjective): An alternative spelling for the adjective form, meaning casual or done without preparation.
- His offhanded comment was taken as an insult.
- Offhandedly (adverb): The adverbial form of 'offhanded'.
- She offhandedly mentioned she was leaving.
Synonyms
- Adverb: Extemporaneously, impromptu, spontaneously.
- Adjective: Casual, informal, nonchalant, curt, breezy.
Antonyms
- Adverb: Preparedly, deliberately, methodically.
- Adjective: Formal, ceremonious, deliberate, thoughtful.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- "Off the top of one's head": Very similar in meaning to the adverbial use of 'off-hand', meaning to say something without careful thought or research.
- "Off the top of my head, I'd say about fifty people attended."
Adverb
-
without preparation
-
I don't know the figures off-hand
-
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