stock
word
Definition
Stock can mean shares in a company that people buy and sell, a supply of goods a business has available, or a liquid used as a base for soups and sauces. The meaning depends strongly on the context.
Usage & Nuances
Most commonly, 'stock' appears in finance ('buy stock', 'stock market') and retail ('in stock', 'out of stock'). In American English, 'stock' is standard for inventory; in British English, 'stock' is also common, though 'inventory' is more formal. In cooking, 'stock' is different from 'soup' and is often less finished and used as a base.
Example Sentences
The store has fresh fruit in stock today.
basic
My father bought some stock in a tech company.
basic
She made chicken stock for the soup.
basic
I don’t buy stock unless I understand the company.
natural
That item is out of stock, but we should get more tomorrow.
natural
Can you save that vegetable stock for tomorrow’s sauce?
natural