off the shelf

1 of 2

phrase

: available from stock : not made to order
off the shelf equipment

off-the-shelf

2 of 2

adjective

: available as a stock item : not specially designed or custom-made
off-the-shelf software

Synonyms of off the shelf

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
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.
Adjective
These models offer an opportunity to revive the consumer gadget space by leveraging off-the-shelf hardware and free, open AI models. Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Dec. 2025 By using commercial-off-the-shelf components, the companies aim to streamline the deployment of the 1 MWe units. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Nov. 2025 According to the company, the increase in power generation would be between two and 10 times using off-the-shelf panel components. New Atlas, 20 Nov. 2025 The implication was that there could be an easily accessible, off-the-shelf shot capable of stimulating the immune system to fight cancer. Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for off the shelf

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off the shelf was in 1950

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Off the shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off%20the%20shelf. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!