Words / B2

INV-uh-ntree/ˈɪnvəntri/

An inventory is a complete list of items, or the stock a firm holds: stock inventory; take an inventory. List is everyday; catalogue is for libraries/museums. The chemical inventory must match the cupboard. Business and labs. US also stresses the stock-value sense. Do not call a shopping list an inventory unless you are joking.

Meaning

A complete list of items; also the stock a business holds.

Examples

• “The inventory of chemicals must match the cupboard before the practical.”
• “Inventory rose after the cancelled tour, which is the business-stock sense.”

Good to know

take / hold an inventory; inventory of stock. Everyday: list. Business and labs. Full official list or stock level. Not a casual memo.

Near in meaning

list

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