off-hand
1
7.2
- adverb
- /ˈɔfˌhænd/
- Informal
:
de memoria
- I can't tell you the answer off-hand; I need to look it up first.
- right off-hand
Examples
-
Right off-hand, I cannot think of anyone who would disagree with that statement.
-
- Well, off hand I'd say we split up and case the joint.
-
I can think of at least 25 cars in those files right off-hand.
-
I don't remember the name of the book off-hand.
Blog text (17) -
Difficult to say off-hand.
-
Off-hand, I would guess that the project will take at least a month to complete.
Synonyms
14
5.3
Quickly while you do something, without planning
11
6.3
Said or done without planning first
7
6.3
Said or done immediately without careful thought
3
7.2
Said or done without planning beforehand
3
7.0
Speak or act without careful thought
1
7.2
Said or done quickly without much thought and seeming rude
Done or said without planning at the moment
Antonyms
How Prepared
103
1.3
26
1.0
1
4.6
- Informal
1
7.2
- Informal
4
5.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Off-hand comes from the simple parts off and hand. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine your hands are 'off' your notes so you must speak immediately, 'without thinking or preparing', which is exactly what off-hand means.