Inventory vs Stock

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Inventory	Stock
Meaning	A list of items that a person or business has.	A share in the ownership of a company.
CEFR level	B1	B2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Usage notes	Commonly used in business contexts to discuss supplies or stock. Not usually used in casual conversation.	Used in business and finance contexts. More formal when discussing investment. Not commonly used in casual conversation outside investment discussions.

Frequently asked questions: Inventory vs Stock

What's the difference between "Inventory" and "Stock"?

"Inventory" means: A list of items that a person or business has. "Stock" means: A share in the ownership of a company.

When should I use "Inventory" and "Stock"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Inventory" and "Stock" the same CEFR level?

"Inventory" is at B1, "Stock" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.