noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
ready-made; off-the-shelf; prepared
Describes something already made or prepared, not custom-made. Often used for food, clothing, or solutions that are available immediately without additional work.
I heated up some ready-made curry and ate it.
He bought an off-the-rack suit.
Used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 出来合いの妻 or 出来合いの女房, referring to a woman one lives with as a wife without formal marriage. This usage is somewhat dated and may carry a colloquial or slightly rough nuance.
He lives with his common-law wife.
出来合い is a more colloquial word for ready-made goods, while 既製 is the more formal, written term used in business and manufacturing contexts.
Standard kanji spelling; common in news and everyday use.
Abbreviated kanji form; less common than 出来合い.
The noun is derived from 出来合う “to be already made or prepared.” Its central sense is therefore something available ready-made; the relationship sense refers to an informally established union.