as in bought
made beforehand in large numbers
she chose to have her computer designed to her specifications rather than buying an off-the-shelf machine
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Recent Examples of off-the-shelf
Instead of Predators and Reapers worth tens of millions of dollars each, Ukraine began purchasing huge numbers of off-the-shelf fliers worth a few hundred dollars apiece—the kind used by filmmakers and enthusiasts—and turned them into highly lethal weapons.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 6 Apr. 2025
The testing, over a two-week period in the community of Cape May, includes about 100 off-the-shelf Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly called drones, ranging in size from smaller than a pound up to large craft weighing nearly 1,320 pounds, the FAA said in a statement.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
The use of off-the-shelf smartphones means CHAT now uses a lot less power, can be maintained more easily, and is smaller than the previous version.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2025
Because off-the-shelf systems tailored to meet client-specific needs typically enable fast deployment, easy updates and consistent innovation.
—Hank Boughner, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-shelf
IEEE Spectrum, 6 Apr. 2025
The testing, over a two-week period in the community of Cape May, includes about 100 off-the-shelf Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly called drones, ranging in size from smaller than a pound up to large craft weighing nearly 1,320 pounds, the FAA said in a statement.
—Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
The use of off-the-shelf smartphones means CHAT now uses a lot less power, can be maintained more easily, and is smaller than the previous version.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2025
Because off-the-shelf systems tailored to meet client-specific needs typically enable fast deployment, easy updates and consistent innovation.
—Hank Boughner, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-the-shelf
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-the-shelf
Adjective
-
The chain said that refunds would be available to patrons who had pre-bought tickets.—
Patrick Frater,
Variety,
14 July 2022
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Cineplex has also begun offering refunds to all customers that pre-bought tickets for upcoming film screenings.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Jan. 2022
Adjective
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The National Retail Federation expects U.S. online and non-store sales this year to grow as much as 23% from 2020, to roughly $1.13 trillion, the trade group said in June.—
Angus Loten,
WSJ,
27 Oct. 2021
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And online and other non-store sales are expected to increase between 10% and 12%.—
Ivana Pino,
Fortune,
20 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Off-the-shelf.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-the-shelf. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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