offhand

/ˌɒfˈhænd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɔːfˈhænd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈȯf-ˈhand -ˌhand/ (ame, mw) · /ˌɑːfˈhænd/ (ame, ipa)

offhand — 形容詞

  • offhandpositive
  • more offhandcomparative
  • most offhandsuperlative

1. behaving as if other people do not matter, with a cool and slightly rude lack of

1.形容詞C1
釋義

冷淡的

顯得沒興趣又失禮

behaving as if other people do not matter, with a cool and slightly rude lack of warmth.

例句

Elise gave the new intern an offhand nod and kept typing.

Elise 只是冷淡地朝新實習生點了點頭，接著繼續打字。

offhand + gesture showing little warmth

When Bao asked for help, the receptionist gave an offhand shrug.

Bao 一開口求助，櫃檯人員就冷淡地聳了聳肩。

同義詞
  • dismissive

    stronger and clearer about brushing someone aside

  • curt

    focuses on very short, sharp speech

  • cool

    broader and not always slightly rude

反義詞
  • warm

    showing friendly feeling and interest

  • attentive

    showing careful interest in another person

文法句型

offhand remark

sound offhand

用法筆記

Often used for remarks, tone, or behavior that feels dismissive rather than openly angry. Distinguish this from sense 2, which is about lack of preparation instead of lack of care.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher gave me an offhand smile and a warm hug.
✅The teacher gave me a warm smile and a hug.
💡'offhand' suggests cool or dismissive behavior, so it clashes with obvious warmth.

2. spoken, written, or decided on the spot, without planning it beforehand.

2.形容詞C1
釋義

即席的

沒有先準備就做出的

spoken, written, or decided on the spot, without planning it beforehand.

例句

Mateo gave an offhand estimate of the repair cost at lunch.

Mateo 吃午餐時即席估了一下維修費。

offhand + estimate made on the spot

Defne made an offhand comment about moving abroad next year.

Defne 即席提了一句，說她明年可能搬到國外。

同義詞
  • impromptu

    more formal and often used for speeches or performances

  • spontaneous

    broader and can sound more positive than offhand

  • unprepared

    states the lack of planning without the casual tone

反義詞
  • prepared

    planned or thought through in advance

  • deliberate

    carefully considered rather than quick

文法句型

offhand comment

offhand guess

用法筆記

Common with nouns such as comment, guess, reply, and estimate. Unlike sense 1, this sense focuses on something produced without preparation, not on sounding rude.

常見錯誤

❌The band spent two weeks rehearsing an offhand speech for the concert.
✅The band spent two weeks rehearsing a prepared speech for the concert.
💡an offhand remark is made on the spot, not carefully planned.

offhand — 副詞