Stocks Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐น
stocks
[stษks ]
Definitions
financial markets
Stocks are shares in the ownership of a company, representing a claim on part of the company's assets and earnings. Investing in stocks means buying and selling these ownership stakes in publicly traded companies.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| stocks |
Use in general discussions about owning parts of a company through financial instruments.
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| shares |
Use when discussing ownership units of a specific company or the act of owning part of a company.
|
| equities |
Use in more formal contexts or financial discussions implying ownership rights in a company.
|
| securities |
Use in formal, legal, or financial contexts to describe a range of tradeable financial assets.
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Examples of usage
- Many people choose to invest in stocks for long-term growth.
- Stocks can be volatile and subject to market fluctuations.
- Investors should diversify their stock portfolio to reduce risk.
inventory
Stocks refer to the goods or merchandise kept on hand by a store or business for sale to customers. It represents the inventory available for purchase.
Synonyms
goods, inventory, merchandise.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| stocks |
Refers to the shares of ownership in a company, typically used in the context of financial markets and investments. Can also refer to supplies of goods available for sale or use, but this usage is less common.
|
| inventory |
Refers to the complete list of items in stock, typically used in a business or warehouse setting. The term can also refer to the process of keeping track of these items.
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| goods |
General term for items that are produced and sold. Used in both everyday conversation and business contexts to describe physical items that are bought, sold, or traded.
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| merchandise |
Refers to products that are bought and sold, typically in the context of retail or commerce. Can be used to describe items in a store or promotional products.
|
Examples of usage
- The store needs to manage its stocks to ensure products are always available.
- The company has a wide range of stocks to meet customer demand.
supply
To stock something means to keep a supply of it available for sale or use. It involves replenishing and managing the quantity of a particular item.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| stocks |
Use 'stocks' when referring to the available quantity of goods or materials in a store or warehouse.
|
| supply |
Use 'supply' when discussing the total amount of a product or material that is available, especially in a broader context involving needs or demands.
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| replenish |
Use 'replenish' when talking about refilling or restoring the supply of something that has been used up.
|
| store |
Use 'store' when referring to keeping goods or materials in a space for future use or sale.
|
Examples of usage
- The supermarket stocks fresh produce daily.
- The warehouse stocks various raw materials for production.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Historical Origins
- The first recorded stock market was established in Amsterdam in 1602, where shares of the Dutch East India Company were traded.
- Stock trading became a popular activity in London by the late 17th century, leading to the formation of major stock exchanges.
Economics
- Investing in stocks is viewed as a way to participate in the potential growth of a company without directly managing it.
- Stock prices can be influenced by market trends, company performance, and economic factors, which create a dynamic trading environment.
Pop Culture
- Films like 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and 'Wall Street' showcase the thrill and risks associated with stock trading.
- Terms like 'bull' and 'bear' to describe market trends originated from the way these animals attackโbulls thrust up and bears swipe down.
Psychology
- Investor behavior can be emotional, often leading to decisions based on fear or greed rather than logic.
- Herd mentality can drive stock trends, causing prices to rise or fall simply because many people are buying or selling at once.
Origin of 'stocks'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'stock' comes from the Old English word 'stoc,' meaning 'a place' or 'a residence,' which evolved to mean ownership.
- In the 17th century, the word started referencing the capital or assets of a business, relating to ownership shares.
The term 'stocks' originated from the 16th century Dutch word 'stock,' meaning a tree trunk or a stick. In the financial context, it evolved to represent ownership in a company. Over time, the concept of trading stocks became integral to the modern financial markets, leading to the establishment of stock exchanges worldwide.
See also: restock, restocking, stock, stocked, stockholder, stocking, stockings, stockpile, stockpiling, stockroom, stocky.