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View synonyms for inventory

inventory

[ in-vuhn-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

noun

, plural in·ven·to·ries.
  1. a complete listing of merchandise or stock on hand, work in progress, raw materials, finished goods on hand, etc., made each year by a business concern.
  2. the objects or items represented on such a list, as a merchant's stock of goods.
  3. the aggregate value of a stock of goods.
  4. raw material from the time of its receipt at an industrial plant for manufacturing purposes to the time it is sold.
  5. a detailed, often descriptive, list of articles, giving the code number, quantity, and value of each; catalog.

    Synonyms: account, register, record, roster

  6. a formal list of movables, as of a merchant's stock of goods.
  7. a formal list of the property of a person or estate.
  8. a tally of one's personality traits, aptitudes, skills, etc., for use in counseling and guidance.
  9. a catalog of natural resources, especially a count or estimate of wildlife and game in a particular area.
  10. the act of making a catalog or detailed listing.


verb (used with object)

, in·ven·to·ried, in·ven·to·ry·ing.
  1. to make an inventory of; enter in an inventory; catalog.
  2. to take stock of; evaluate:

    to inventory one's life and accomplishments.

  3. to summarize:

    to inventory the progress in chemistry.

  4. to keep an available supply of (merchandise); stock.

verb (used without object)

, in·ven·to·ried, in·ven·to·ry·ing.
  1. to have value as shown by an inventory:

    stock that inventories at two million dollars.

inventory

/ -trɪ; ˈɪnvəntərɪ /

noun

  1. a detailed list of articles, goods, property, etc
  2. often plural accounting
    1. the amount or value of a firm's current assets that consist of raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods; stock
    2. such assets individually
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to enter (items) in an inventory; make a list of
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

inventory

  1. An itemized list of a firm's goods that have not yet been sold.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈinventoriable, adjective
  • ˌinvenˈtorial, adjective
  • ˌinvenˈtorially, adverb
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Other Words From

  • inven·tori·a·ble adjective
  • inven·tori·al adjective
  • inven·tori·al·ly adverb
  • over·inven·toried adjective
  • pre·inven·tory noun plural preinventories
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inventory1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English inventorie, from Medieval Latin inventōrium; invent, -tory 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of inventory1

C16: from Medieval Latin inventōrium; see invent
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Synonym Study

See list 1.
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Example Sentences

He said the entire British Army's inventory was exhausted with every bit of important ammunition expended before the 10-day exercise was completed.

From BBC

Digital ad inventory - the space website publishers make available for sale - is often bought and sold through automated auctions using digital platforms.

From BBC

The damage estimate could rise at Wadsworth once an inventory is completed, which might have to wait for several days because schools have begun their weeklong Thanksgiving break.

The inventory is expected to be complete in 2026, according to the county Department of Public Works.

The Swedish national forest inventory has collected extensive data from Swedish forests.

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Related Words

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More About Inventory

What does inventory mean?

An inventory is a complete list of all merchandise or stock of items owned by or available from a business.

At a store, an inventory is the complete list of all items for sale at the store. At a manufacturer, an inventory is a complete list of all the raw materials they have, as well as finished items and items being created.

An inventory is also the specific set of products to sell, as in The store’s inventory of superhero capes is running low and will probably sell out soon.

An inventory can also refer to figurative belongings, such as a person’s personality traits and skills.

To inventory means to add things to an inventory list, whether a literal or figurative list, as in I inventoried my options for colleges and chose the school I’ll attend next year.

Example: Can you take inventory tonight so we can be ready for the rush tomorrow?

Where does inventory come from?

The first records of the term inventory come from around the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Medieval Latin inventōrium.

You’ve probably seen inventory used in computer gaming, where your inventory is the place where you can keep track of the materials you’ve collected while playing the game. Often, the inventory holds items that you use to enhance your performance, build or craft something, or customize your character. The first video game to have an inventory system was “The Oregon Trail” in 1971, which tasked players with traveling from Missouri to Oregon in an 1800s wagon caravan, picking up food, tools, rope, and the like to add to their inventory along the way.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to inventory?

  • inventoriable (adjective)
  • inventorial (adjective)
  • inventorially (adverb)
  • overinventoried (adjective)
  • preinventory (noun)

What are some synonyms for inventory?

What are some words that share a root or word element with inventory

What are some words that often get used in discussing inventory?

How is inventory used in real life?

Inventory is mostly used in a business context.

 

Try using inventory!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for inventory?

A. debt
B. supply
C. reserve
D. backlog

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