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

1. in a casually inconsiderate manner
   • replied offhand, his mind a million miles away
   • she threw him over offhandedly without even a Dear-John letter
2. without previous thought or preparation
   • couldn't give the figures offhand
   • we decided offhand to go to Canada
   • she had made these remarks offhandedly