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

Examples of off-the-shelf in a Sentence

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.
Balancing Buy and Build to Enhance Productivity At Autodesk, Kota has established a balanced approach to AI, blending both off-the-shelf and tailored solutions. Peter High, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 State of play: Early adopters are already using off-the-shelf generative AI as a personal health care assistant. Megan Morrone, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024 While the company offers off-the-shelf selections, it’s known for bespoke personalization – having one’s initials or special date sewn onto the boot’s ear pulls or having a handwritten note transcribed into the liner of the boot. Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 When designing your martech stack, the decision to rely on comprehensive off-the-shelf tools or build your own custom configuration is neither simple nor obvious. Mike Burton, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for off-the-shelf 

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near off-the-shelf

Cite this Entry

“Off-the-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-the-shelf. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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