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shelfware

American  
[shelf-wair] / ˈʃɛlfˌwɛər /
Or shelf ware

noun

Informal.

  1. Computers. software or hardware that remains unsold, unused, or underused.

    shelfware as part of a bundled license deal.

  2. ideas or findings that are not used or acted upon.

    The results of your market research can quickly become shelfware.

Etymology

Origin of shelfware

shelf + -ware (in the sense “goods sitting on a shelf”)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"A lot of smartwatches out there end up being shelfware."

From Reuters • Apr. 22, 2015

For examples, see annoyware, careware, crippleware, crudware, freeware, fritterware, guiltware, liveware, meatware, payware, psychedelicware, shareware, shelfware, vaporware, wetware.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.