: not prepared in advance : spontaneous, informal
off-the-cuff remarks
off-the-cuff adverb

Examples of off-the-cuff in a Sentence

having gotten into hot water with some unfortunate off-the-cuff remarks, the candidate now limits himself to his carefully prepared campaign speech
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump’s world is one where off-the-cuff statements can be massaged, and his telegenic cabinet overturn the paradigms of global security hourly, without major consequence. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025 Content that has a catchy headline and presents an uninformed, off-the-cuff opinion... Brian Hamilton, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025 With New York City working hard to reclaim its title as a fashion capital of the world, this NYFW season provided plenty of off-the-cuff moments to inspire these exchanges. Kelsey Stiegman, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025 Dinner parties, on the other hand, occur sporadically with more off-the-cuff planning. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for off-the-cuff

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-the-cuff was in 1936

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Cite this Entry

“Off-the-cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-the-cuff. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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