inventory
/ˈɪnvəntri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnvəntɔːri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-vən-ˌtȯr-ē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɪn.vən.tər.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪn.vən.tɔːr.i/ (ame, ipa)
inventory — noun
- inventorysingular
- inventoriesplural
1. a detailed list that records every object in a particular place, such as a house
a detailed list that records every object in a particular place, such as a house, a shop, or a warehouse
Before moving out, Imran made an inventory of every piece of furniture in the apartment.
inventory + of + noun phrase for listing contents
The museum's inventory includes over two thousand paintings and sculptures.
possessive: museum's inventory
Yasmin found an old camera that was not on the office inventory.
The police asked for a complete inventory of everything that was stolen from the shop.
An inventory of the library's rare books takes several weeks to finish.
文法句型
inventory + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' to say what is being listed.
常見錯誤
2. the activity of going through every product or material a business keeps and rec
the activity of going through every product or material a business keeps and recording what is there
The supermarket closes early once a month to do inventory.
do inventory — fixed phrase for the counting process
Christopher took inventory of the spare parts in the warehouse before ordering more.
take inventory of [place/goods]
Inventory at the electronics store happens every December and June.
Dario was hired to help with inventory during the busy holiday season.
The manager noticed several items were missing during the weekly inventory check.
- stocktaking
more common in British English; same meaning
- stock count
more specific; emphasises counting numbers rather than listing
文法句型
do/take + inventory
inventory + of + goods/products
用法筆記
When referring to the process itself, 'inventory' is usually uncountable: 'we do inventory' (no article). A specific instance can be countable: 'we did a full inventory of the warehouse.'
常見錯誤
3. the total amount of goods that a shop, company, or warehouse has at a given time
the total amount of goods that a shop, company, or warehouse has at a given time, or the financial value of those goods
The bookstore has a large inventory of children's books and educational games.
has a large inventory of [things]
Ryo checked the computer to see if the red jackets were still in inventory.
check + in inventory — common collocation
Paloma said the shop's inventory was too low to meet the holiday demand.
The company keeps inventory worth over two million dollars at its main warehouse.
Winter clothes went on sale because the store needed to reduce its inventory.
- stock
more general and can replace 'inventory' in most business contexts
- merchandise
formal term for goods offered for sale
文法句型
have/keep + inventory
inventory of + goods/products
用法筆記
In business contexts, 'inventory' can refer either to the physical goods themselves or to their monetary value on a balance sheet.
常見錯誤
4. a collection or summary of all the things that make up or belong to a particular
a collection or summary of all the things that make up or belong to a particular subject, situation, or area
The report provides an inventory of the main challenges facing small farmers in Kenya.
inventory of [abstract challenges]
Valentina's book is a thoughtful inventory of the cultural changes in Mexico since the 1990s.
The researcher compiled an inventory of all the plant species found in the national park.
The charity published an inventory of its projects across Southeast Asia over the past decade.
文法句型
inventory + of + abstract noun
用法筆記
This is a figurative or extended use of the word. Unlike sense 1, the items being listed are often abstract (problems, ideas, changes) rather than physical objects.
5. in computer or video games, the collection of weapons, tools, food, and other ob
in computer or video games, the collection of weapons, tools, food, and other objects that a player's character can carry and use during the game
Ziad opened his character's inventory to find a healing potion before the final battle.
open + possession's inventory
The player's inventory can hold up to twenty different items at once.
Élise collected enough wood and stone to fill her inventory before returning to camp.
Pressing the 'I' key on the keyboard opens the inventory screen in most role-playing games.
Camille dropped three old swords from her inventory to make room for the new armour.
文法句型
character's/player's + inventory
inventory + screen/window
用法筆記
In gaming contexts, 'inventory' is usually a countable noun referring to a specific container or storage space. Many games limit how many items a character's inventory can hold.
常見錯誤
inventory — verb
- inventorypresent simple I / you / we / they
- inventories3rd person singular
- inventorying-ing form
- inventoriedpast simple
1. to create and write down a complete record of the items in a place, or to put a
to create and write down a complete record of the items in a place, or to put a particular object into such a record
The team spent the whole morning inventorying the contents of the old storage room.
inventorying + noun phrase (contents/items)
Reuben was asked to inventory all the laboratory equipment before the inspection.
The librarian inventoried each rare manuscript by hand, noting its condition and age.
Yael inventoried the camping gear and realised they were missing a tent pole.
The warehouse uses a scanner to inventory new shipments as soon as they arrive.
文法句型
inventory + noun phrase
用法筆記
This verb is less common in everyday conversation; people more often use the noun form ('do/take inventory') or the phrasal verb 'inventory something in/on.'