inventory

inventory — noun

IPA/ˈɪnvəntri/
KK[ˌɪnvəntˈɔri]IPA/ˈɪnvəntɔːri/
  • inventorysingular
  • inventoriesplural

1. a detailed list that records every object in a particular place, such as a house

1.nounB1
Definition

a detailed list that records every object in a particular place, such as a house, a shop, or a warehouse

Example

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

Common collocations
  • make an inventory
  • take an inventory
  • complete an inventory
  • an inventory of something
Synonyms
  • catalogue

    more formal and often used for collections of art or books

  • register

    emphasises an official record kept over time

  • list

    more general and can be informal

Grammar Patterns

inventory + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often followed by 'of' to say what is being listed.

Common Mistakes

We made inventory of the stock.
We made an inventory of the stock.
'inventory' in this sense is countable and needs an article.

2. the activity of going through every product or material a business keeps and rec

2.nounB2
Definition

the activity of going through every product or material a business keeps and recording what is there

Example

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]

Common collocations
  • do inventory
  • take inventory
  • physical inventory
  • annual inventory
  • inventory check
Synonyms
  • stocktaking

    more common in British English; same meaning

  • stock count

    more specific; emphasises counting numbers rather than listing

Grammar Patterns

do/take + inventory

inventory + of + goods/products

Usage Note

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.'

Common Mistakes

We did an inventory of the warehouse last night.' (when meaning the counting process)
We did inventory of the warehouse last night.
For the activity sense, do not use 'an'.

3. the total amount of goods that a shop, company, or warehouse has at a given time

3.nounB1
Definition

the total amount of goods that a shop, company, or warehouse has at a given time, or the financial value of those goods

Example

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

Common collocations
  • have inventory
  • keep inventory
  • inventory level
  • inventory management
  • reduce inventory
  • inventory value
  • excess inventory
Synonyms
  • stock

    more general and can replace 'inventory' in most business contexts

  • merchandise

    formal term for goods offered for sale

Grammar Patterns

have/keep + inventory

inventory of + goods/products

Usage Note

In business contexts, 'inventory' can refer either to the physical goods themselves or to their monetary value on a balance sheet.

Common Mistakes

We have many inventories in the back room.
We have a lot of inventory in the back room.
In this sense, 'inventory' is usually uncountable.

4. a collection or summary of all the things that make up or belong to a particular

4.nounB2
Definition

a collection or summary of all the things that make up or belong to a particular subject, situation, or area

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • an inventory of
  • compile an inventory
  • provide an inventory
Synonyms
  • survey

    emphasises a broad overview rather than a detailed list

  • summary

    shorter and focuses on main points rather than completeness

Grammar Patterns

inventory + of + abstract noun

Usage Note

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

5.nounB1
Definition

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

Example

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.

Common collocations
  • open inventory
  • character's inventory
  • inventory screen
  • inventory slot
  • inventory space
  • inventory management
Synonyms
  • backpack

    some games use this instead of 'inventory' to sound more natural

  • item bag

    common in Japanese-style role-playing games

Grammar Patterns

character's/player's + inventory

inventory + screen/window

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

My inventory is very large, it has fifty items.
My inventory is very large
it holds fifty items.' — Use 'holds' or 'carries' for capacity, not 'has.'

inventory — verb

IPA/ˈɪn.vən.tər.i/
KK[ˌɪnvəntˈɔri]IPA/ˈɪn.vən.tɔːr.i/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

All four words refer to goods that a business holds, but they differ in scope and use. 'Inventory' is the broadest term, covering both the physical goods and their recorded value; it is the standard word in accounting and warehouse management. 'Stock' is very similar and is more common in everyday British English ('the shop is out of stock'), while American English tends to use 'inventory' for business contexts and 'stock' for the act of selling. 'Merchandise' is more formal and refers specifically to goods offered for sale, not raw materials or supplies. 'Supplies' refers to materials used in running a business (office paper, cleaning products) rather than products sold to customers. For example: 'The bookstore's inventory includes both merchandise for sale and supplies like packing tape and receipt paper.'

inventory ↗stock ↗merchandise ↗supplies ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • inventory management
  • inventory control
  • inventory system
  • inventory level
  • inventory count

Adverbs

  • currently in inventory
  • physically inventoried

Phrases

  • take inventory
  • do inventory
  • keep inventory
  • reduce inventory
  • check inventory

Prepositions

  • in inventory
  • out of inventory
  • inventory of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The English word 'inventory' comes from Latin 'inventarium', meaning 'a list of things found'. This comes from 'invenire' ('to come upon, find'), which combines 'in-' (into) and 'venire' (to come). The term was first used in English around the 1400s for official lists of property. Over time, its meaning expanded from a written list to include the goods themselves and, more recently, virtual item collections in computer games.