offhandedly
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: 1. In a casual, informal, or unceremonious manner: Done or said without careful thought, preparation, or formality. 2. In a dismissive or inconsiderate manner: Performed with a lack of care, attention, or respect for the feelings of others.
Examples of Usage
- He answered the serious question offhandedly, as if it didn't matter.
- "I suppose we could leave tomorrow," she said offhandedly, not looking up from her book.
- The manager dismissed my suggestion offhandedly, without even considering it.
- She mentioned the award offhandedly, though it was a major accomplishment.
Advanced Usage
- "To remark offhandedly": To make a comment casually or without prior planning.
- He remarked offhandedly that the office might close early.
- "To dismiss offhandedly": To reject or disregard something in a casual, often inconsiderate, way.
- The proposal was dismissed offhandedly by the committee.
Variants and Related Words
- Offhand (adjective/adverb): Spoken or done without preparation or forethought. Often used interchangeably with "offhandedly."
- Adjective: He gave an offhand answer.
- Adverb: I can't quote the price offhand.
- Offhandedness (noun): The quality of being casual or done without preparation.
- His offhandedness during the presentation was unprofessional.
Synonyms
- Casually
- Cursorily
- Perfunctorily
- Airily
- Nonchalantly
Antonyms
- Formally
- Carefully
- Seriously
- Deliberately
- Ceremoniously
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "Off the top of one's head": Similar to "offhandedly," meaning to say something without careful thought or research.
- I can't tell you the exact date off the top of my head.
- "To brush off": To dismiss or ignore someone or something casually, often rudely. This conveys a similar inconsiderate tone as one meaning of "offhandedly."
- She brushed off his concerns about the deadline.
Adverb
- in a casually inconsiderate manner
- replied offhand, his mind a million miles away
- she threw him over offhandedly without even a Dear-John letter
- without previous thought or preparation
- couldn't give the figures offhand
- we decided offhand to go to Canada
- she had made these remarks offhandedly