off-the-shelf

[awf-thuh-shelf, of-]

adjective

1. readily available from merchandise in stock.

2. made according to a standardized format; not developed for specialized or individual needs; ready-made.

   off-the-shelf computer programs.

off the shelf

adverb

1. from stock and readily available

   you can have this model off the shelf

adjective

1. of or relating to a product that is readily available

   an off-the-shelf model

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of off-the-shelf¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

"We want to democratize gene therapy by creating off-the-shelf tools that can cure a large group of patients in one shot," Finkelstein said.

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He said defendants used "very sophisticated technology" like altered off-the-shelf shuffling machines that could read the cards.

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They did so using "very sophisticated" technology including off-the-shelf shuffling machines, special contact lenses and eye glasses to read pre-marked cards, according to authorities.

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"We could design an even better nonspecific vaccine to mobilize and reset the immune response, in a way that could essentially be a universal, off-the-shelf cancer vaccine for all cancer patients."

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This innovation could also make it possible to produce “off-the-shelf” CAR-NK treatments that are available immediately after diagnosis, rather than waiting weeks for custom-engineered cells.

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