off the shelf
1 of 2phrase
: available from stock : not made to order
off the shelf equipment
: available as a stock item : not specially designed or custom-made
off-the-shelf software
Examples of off the shelf in a Sentence
Adjective
she chose to have her computer designed to her specifications rather than buying an off-the-shelf machine
Recent Examples on the Web
Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
One of those is an off-the-shelf model, while there are two other development types.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 7 May 2026
The semiconductor lasers were then incorporated into a system in a university cleanroom, using off-the-shelf electronics to drive the system, Taylor says.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
These small, cheap weapons—costing as little as $300 each and built with off-the-shelf components—have wounded soldiers and killed at least one Israeli military personnel, demonstrating a significant gap in Israel’s air defense.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for off the shelf
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Adjective
The same product class today can be assembled by one technically literate person in a weekend using off-the-shelf models and a Lovable frontend.
—Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
One of those is an off-the-shelf model, while there are two other development types.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 7 May 2026
The semiconductor lasers were then incorporated into a system in a university cleanroom, using off-the-shelf electronics to drive the system, Taylor says.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
These small, cheap weapons—costing as little as $300 each and built with off-the-shelf components—have wounded soldiers and killed at least one Israeli military personnel, demonstrating a significant gap in Israel’s air defense.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for off the shelf
Cite this Entry
“Off the shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off%20the%20shelf. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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