stocks: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

In American English, they are often used interchangeably. Technically, 'shares' refer to units of ownership in a specific company, while 'stocks' can refer to ownership in general or in multiple companies (e.g., 'tech stocks').

It can be both. In finance, it's usually countable plural ('I own several stocks'). The singular 'stock' is used for the general concept or a specific company's equity ('I own stock in Apple'). In other senses like 'inventory' or 'broth,' it is usually uncountable ('we have plenty of stock').

It is an idiom meaning to carefully think about or assess a situation, often before making a decision. Example: 'At the end of the year, we take stock of our financial goals.'

Yes, in the idiom 'laughing stock,' it refers to a person or thing ridiculed by many. In historical context, 'the stocks' were a wooden framework used to publicly punish criminals.

The capital raised by a company through the sale of shares representing ownership interests.

Stocks is usually neutral to formal in finance; neutral in general contexts. in register.

Stocks: in British English it is pronounced /stɒks/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɑːks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.