B2noun2K

Stock

UK /["/stɒk/"]/US /["/stɑːk/"]/

Definition

a supply of goods that is available for sale in a shop

In simple words: A share in the ownership of a company.

Examples

  • The stock market crashed last week, causing panic among investors.
  • She decided to invest in technology stock due to its growth potential.
  • We need to stock up on supplies before the winter storm hits.
  • The store has a new stock of winter clothing arriving this Friday.
  • The chef used chicken stock to enhance the flavor of the soup.
  • He has an impressive stock of rare books in his collection.
  • It's important to keep your stock of emergency supplies well-organized.
  • The company's stock prices have steadily increased over the past year.
  • Many farmers maintain a stock of livestock for their farming needs.
  • The librarian announced that a new stock of magazines had just arrived.

Usage notes

Used in business and finance contexts. More formal when discussing investment. Not commonly used in casual conversation outside investment discussions.

Grammar pattern

buy/sell + stock

Memory hint

Think of 'stock' as your own 'sock' — if you have a 'sock' in a 'stock' of goods!

Collocations

  • good
  • high
  • huge
  • carry
  • have
  • hold
  • be up
  • increase
  • be down
  • room
  • levels
  • control
  • from stock
  • in stock
  • out of stock
  • good
  • high
  • huge
  • carry
  • have
  • hold
  • be up
  • increase
  • be down
  • room
  • levels
  • control
  • from stock
  • in stock
  • out of stock
  • company
  • growth
  • domestic
  • acquire
  • buy
  • invest in
  • be down
  • be up
  • drop
  • exchange
  • market
  • price
  • in stocks
  • investment in stocks
  • stocks and bonds
  • stocks and shares
  • company
  • growth
  • domestic
  • acquire
  • buy
  • invest in
  • be down
  • be up
  • drop
  • exchange
  • market
  • price
  • in stocks
  • investment in stocks
  • stocks and bonds
  • stocks and shares
  • beef
  • chicken
  • fish
  • make
  • dilute
  • reduce
  • cube
  • in a/​the stock

Synonyms

  • descent

Antonyms

  • bond
  • debt

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'inventory' — stock refers to shares, not items for sale.
  • Used in the wrong tense — ensure to match with past or present (e.g., 'stocks' vs 'stocked').