How to pronounce offhand
Say it like awf-HAND. Offhand has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HAND).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˌɔfˈhænd/awf-HAND
UK BritishNo British transcription yet. The audio still plays in this accent.
- awf
- HAND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Offhand pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- awfGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- HANDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
What does offhand mean?
adjective
- Without planning or thinking ahead.“She gave an offhand speech.”
- Careless; without sufficient thought or consideration.“He doesn't realise how hurtful his offhand remarks can be.”
- Curt, abrupt, unfriendly.“She was quite offhand with me yesterday.”
- Right away, immediately, without thinking about it.“Offhand, I'd guess that that's a yellow-bellied sapsucker.”
- In an abrupt or unfriendly manner.
Where does offhand come from?
From Middle English *ofhande, *ofhende, from Old English ofhende (“absent, lost”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *abahandijaz.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with offhand
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of offhand.
Questions about saying offhand
How do you pronounce offhand?
Say awf-HAND. The American pronunciation is /ˌɔfˈhænd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in offhand?
Offhand has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HAND). Broken into parts: awf · HAND.