Reading Theme:
Stock: Definitions, Examples & Common Usage (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：inventory (stock)
stock
/stɑːk/
n./vt./adj.
The total amount of goods that a shop or factory has available to sell or use.
inventory
➕
/ˈɪnvəntɔːri/
n./vt./adj.
Refers to the supply of goods or merchandise kept on hand by a business for sale or use.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'stocc', meaning tree trunk or stake, the foundation from which something grows or is built.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a store SHELF stocked with goods (noun) or stocking your fridge (verb) to supply it.
📖 Example
The supermarket manager checks the stock of fresh vegetables every morning to make sure the shelves are always full.
The supermarket manager verifies the inventory of fresh vegetables each morning to ensure the shelves remain fully stocked.
🔗 Collocations
in stock – available for sale or use immediately
out of stock – not currently available for sale
stock levels – the quantity of goods held in inventory
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
shortage (n.) – a state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts.
🌱 Derivatives
stockpile (n./vt.) – a large accumulated stock of goods or materials, held in reserve.
📖 Cultural Story
In finance, 'stock' originates from 17th-century Dutch East India Company shares, traded on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, representing a share in the company's capital 'stock' of ships and goods.
Meaning 2：shares (stock)
stock
/stɑːk/
n./vt./adj.
A share in the ownership of a company. People buy stocks as an investment, hoping the company will do well.
shares
➕
/ʃerz/
n./vt./adj.
Represents an ownership share in a corporation, constituting a claim on part of the company's assets and earnings.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My friend decided to invest in technology stocks after learning about a promising new startup.
My friend chose to invest in technology shares after discovering information about a promising new startup company.
🔗 Collocations
stock market – a market where shares of publicly held companies are issued and traded
blue-chip stock – shares in a large, well-established, and financially sound company
common stock – a security that represents ownership in a corporation, typically with voting rights
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
bond (n.) – a fixed income instrument representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower, typically corporate or governmental.
🌱 Derivatives
shareholder (n.) – an owner of shares in a company.
Meaning 3：supply (stock)
stock
/stɑːk/
n./vt./adj.
To keep a supply of something for future use, like food in a kitchen or products in a shop.
supply
➕
/səˈplaɪ/
n./vt./adj.
To furnish or equip with a supply of something; to keep a store of a particular item available.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We need to stock the fridge with more milk and eggs before the weekend.
We must supply the refrigerator with additional milk and eggs prior to the weekend.
🔗 Collocations
stock up on – to buy a large quantity of something to use in the future
well-stocked – having a good or plentiful supply of something
stock the shelves – to place goods on the shelves of a store to be sold
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
deplete (vt.) – to use up the supply or resources of.
🌱 Derivatives
restock (vt.) – to replenish a stock or supply.
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