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I'm trying to translate terms used in a database to terms used by end-users. There is a supplies table which holds information on supplies held in stock. Supplies is generic on purpose, as there is no one specific category or type. Each record details a single item/thing held and what it is, how much is in stock, etc.

I refer to supplies as 'supplies' for the end-user, but I'm struggling with the singular form.

  • I've tried 'supply' but it doesn't seem to fit, e.g. "add a supply" and "edit a supply" doesn't sound right.
  • The word 'item' doesn't mean much without context and using that in actions also feels awkward, e.g. "add an item" – an item of what, add to where?

Should I stick with 'supply', or is there a better term?

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    I suspect you're going to end up with qualifying "item": supply item, stock item, inventory item, etc. Of course, there is the term good (as in goods), but that's likely to be even less well-received. Someone may know of a better term.
    – Andrew Leach ♦
    Commented Jun 24, 2020 at 12:34
  • "Add a supply" is wrong, as you suspect. A supply is a source of supplies, not an item in the supply. For instance, "Their supply of [ammunition | food | beer] was dwindling alarmingly."
    – TonyK
    Commented Jun 24, 2020 at 12:38
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    An item is clearly the right word. Everybody who speaks English knows it. You say "add an item" – an item of what, add to where?", Well surely that is precisely what the documentation is supposed to tell the user. If it doesn't then it is not good documentation.
    – chasly - supports Monica
    Commented Jun 24, 2020 at 12:43
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    Sometimes "New entry" is used.
    – Weather Vane
    Commented Jun 24, 2020 at 13:03
  • Singular good is another possibility, used in fields like economics, but is likely to confuse the general user. Problem is you seem to want terms familiar to end-users rather than people experienced with stock control, and the layperson will probably say "thing" or "item" or even "thingumajig".
    – Stuart F
    Commented Jun 21, 2022 at 9:00

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Inventory item or inventory entry should serve you well. I am partial to the former.

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If each record has a quantity in stock, your record granularity appears to be at the level of Stock Keeping Unit or SKU, a very common jargon term in the warehouse and retail domains.

The action would be "Add a SKU"

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