readymade
Already prepared beforehand
Readymade describes something manufactured in advance rather than custom-made: readymade curtains, readymade suits.
The term extends to anything conveniently available without effort: a readymade excuse, a readymade solution.
In art, a readymade is an ordinary manufactured object presented as art—a concept pioneered by Marcel Duchamp with works like a signed urinal.
- FountainStructure spouting water skyward
- found objectRepurposed everyday item as art
- objet trouvéEveryday item presented as art
- DadaismAbsurdist artistic rebellion
conceptual art · appropriation · anti-art · assemblage · installation · avant-garde · modernism · surrealism
Made in large quantities
- consumer goodsProducts bought by individuals
- merchandiseCommercial products offered
- commodityFungible traded good
- packagedEnclosed for distribution
brand-name · marketable · store-bought · goods · wares · stock · inventory · retail
Pre-made, not tailored
- prêt-à-porterFactory-made designer clothing
- store-boughtCommercially produced, not homemade
- fitProper or healthy
- alterationsChanges made to something
tailored · bespoke · sizing · hem · mass-produced · clothing · apparel · suit
Prepackaged and ready-to-use
- instantBriefest unit of time
- preparedMade ready beforehand
- time-savingReducing required duration
- effortlessRequiring no strain
quick · handy · practical · accessible · easy · streamlined · efficient · expedient
Made of separable units
- flat-packReady-to-assemble furniture
- kitGrouped supplies, one purpose
- assemblyConstructing from components
- componentsConstituent parts
panels · sections · factory · manufactured · precast · offsite · construction · building
Duchamp
- FountainStructure spouting water skyward
- found objectRepurposed everyday item as art
- objet trouvéEveryday item presented as art
Dadaism · conceptual art · appropriation · anti-art · assemblage · installation · avant-garde · modernism · surrealism · provocation
mass-produced
Made in large quantities
- consumer goodsProducts bought by individuals
- merchandiseCommercial products offered
- commodityFungible traded good
packaged · brand-name · marketable · store-bought · goods · wares · stock · inventory · retail · wholesale
off-the-rack
Pre-made, not tailored
- prêt-à-porterFactory-made designer clothing
- store-boughtCommercially produced, not homemade
- fitProper or healthy
alterations · tailored · bespoke · sizing · hem · mass-produced · clothing · apparel · suit · dress
off-the-shelf
Prepackaged and ready-to-use
- instantBriefest unit of time
- preparedMade ready beforehand
- time-savingReducing required duration
effortless · quick · handy · practical · accessible · easy · streamlined · efficient · expedient · grab-and-go
modular
Made of separable units
- flat-packReady-to-assemble furniture
- kitGrouped supplies, one purpose
- assemblyConstructing from components
components · panels · sections · factory · manufactured · precast · offsite · construction · building · IKEA
- Art Jargoncurator, gallerist, provenance, oeuvre, vernissage
- avant-gardeDada, Dadaism, Futurism, Constructivism, Cabaret Voltaire
- Avant-Garde ArtDada, Dadaism, Surrealism, Cubism, Futurism
- Conceptual Artconceptualism, concept art, dematerialization, instructions, text art
- DadaDadaism, Marcel Duchamp, Cabaret Voltaire, absurdism, negation
- found artfound art, found objects, assemblage, junk art, ready-mades
readymadebespoke
Made to individual specifications
custom-made · made-to-order · tailor-made · custom · customized
readymadeoriginal
First or inventive
one-of-a-kind · handmade · hand-crafted · unique · artisanal
readymadeunfinished
Not yet complete
incomplete · unassembled · raw · half-finished · rough