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

The drones are modified off-the-shelf models which have cameras to send video back to their remote operators.

From BBC

Durham Cathedral began using off-the-shelf discounting formulas in 1626, resolving decades of localized disagreement as well.

From Science Daily

To use the system, a person wearing off-the-shelf headphones fitted with microphones taps a button while directing their head at someone talking.

From Science Daily

It aimed to develop off-the-shelf personalized cancer vaccines based on so-called frameshift mutations.

From Science Magazine

The public art installation, called “The Bay Lights” and designed by New York-based artist Leo Villareal, originally relied on “off-the-shelf” LEDs because they were the best available, Davis said.

From Los Angeles Times