offhandedly
UK[ˌɒfˈhændɪdli]US[ˌɔːfˈhændɪdli]
adv
in a casual, informal, or slightly rude way, without careful thought or preparation
adv
in a manner done or made without previous thought or preparation
Morpheme Breakdown
offhand
ed
ly
offhand
at once, without preparation
ed
ly
in a specified manner
Etymology
the adverb 'offhandedly' is built upon the earlier adjective 'offhanded', which itself derives from the adverbial phrase 'off hand'. this phrase, originating in the 17th century, literally meant 'without needing to take one's hand from work', implying something done immediately or without preparation. the suffix '-ed' was appended to this phrase to create an adjective ('offhanded'), describing a manner or remark that is casual, unceremonious, or improvised. finally, the standard adverbial suffix '-ly' was added, completing the word's evolution into its modern form, which specifically denotes performing an action in a casual, impromptu, or sometimes dismissive fashion.
Analysis
Structure: offhand + ed + ly
offhand: (origin: english, functional role: compound adjective/adverb base) from the phrase 'off hand', meaning 'at once, without preparation'.
ed: (origin: old english, functional role: suffix forming adjectives from nouns or other adjectives) a past participial suffix, here used to form the adjective 'offhanded' from the adverbial phrase 'off hand'.
ly: (origin: old english, functional role: adverb-forming suffix) added to adjectives to form adverbs meaning 'in a specified manner'.
Examples
he answered offhandedly, not looking up from his newspaper.
she mentioned offhandedly that she might be moving abroad.
the critic dismissed the film offhandedly, without discussing its merits.