off-hand

/'ɔ:f'hænd/ Cách viết khác : (off-handed) /'ɔ:f'hændid/

Thân thiện

I can't recall the exact number off-hand.

Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Without prior thought or preparation; immediately, extemporaneously: Used to describe something said or done spontaneously, without planning or research.
2. 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."

Học thuật

Adverb

1. without preparation
   • I don't know the figures off-hand

Từ đồng nghĩa

• ex tempore