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
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
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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
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.
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