off-the-shelf

[ awf-thuh-shelf, of- ]

/ ˈɔf ðəˈʃɛlf, ˈɒf- /

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adjective

readily available from merchandise in stock.

made according to a standardized format; not developed for specialized or individual needs; ready-made: off-the-shelf computer programs.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of off-the-shelf

First recorded in 1945–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use off-the-shelf in a sentence

And the company says that most of the parts are off-the-shelf, not custom-built—which helps keep costs down.
Start-Up Automaker Elio Builds Small, Cheap, Two-Seater Car|Daniel Gross|August 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Off-the-shelf versions like the one Kate purchased go for £295—roughly $500.
How Different Is Raising the Royal Baby From a Typical American Child?|Kevin Fallon, Lizzie Crocker|July 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Genes are not simple off-the-shelf parts with one expression.
Do These Genes Make Me Look Fat?|Kent Sepkowitz|July 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He looked nothing at all like the young men we see in the take-'em-off-the-shelf clothing ads.
Fore!|Charles Emmett Van Loan

The robots were easy enough—just off-the-shelf stuff, really—but the costumes and kinematics routines were something else.
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom|Cory Doctorow
He knew where you could get plans for the robotics, and off-the-shelf motors and sensors.
Makers|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for off-the-shelf

off the shelf

adverb

from stock and readily availableyou can have this model off the shelf

adjective (off-the-shelf when prenominal)

of or relating to a product that is readily availablean off-the-shelf model

of or denoting a company that has been registered with the Registrar of Companies for the sole purpose of being sold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with off-the-shelf

off the shelf

Ready-made, available from merchandise or in stock, as opposed to a special order. For example, Sometimes you can get a better discount by buying an appliance off the shelf. [First half of 1900s] Also see off the rack; on the shelf.