item
EYE-tuhm
Item (noun) means a single thing, especially one on a list or among a group of things. Example: “She checked each item off her shopping list.”
noun
1
A single thing, especially one on a list or among a group of things.
"She checked each item off her shopping list."
"The museum has several rare items on display."
"Please remove any metal items from your pockets before the scan."
verb
1
To record something as a separate entry on a list.
"The accountant itemized every expense on the receipt."
"Please itemise your travel costs on a separate sheet."
"The bill was itemised, showing every drink we ordered."
How to use item
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA single thing, especially one being counted, listed, or bought.
Common pairings
a news item
itemize a bill
a list of items
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- items
- Past tense
- itemed
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She checked each _____ off her shopping list.
Etymology
From Latin item, "also, likewise," originally used to introduce each new entry in a list — the word itself later became the name for each entry.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “item” mean?
The word “item” means a single thing, especially one on a list or among a group of things. In plain terms, a single thing, especially one being counted, listed, or bought.
How do you pronounce “item”?
“Item” is pronounced EYE-tuhm (/ˈaɪ.təm/ in IPA).
How do you use “item” in a sentence?
Here is “item” used in a sentence: “She checked each item off her shopping list.”
What part of speech is “item”?
Depending on how it is used, “item” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “item” come from?
The word “item” comes from Latin. From Latin item, "also, likewise," originally used to introduce each new entry in a list — the word itself later became the name for each entry.
Is “item” a common word?
“Item” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “item” have?
“Item” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single thing, especially one on a list or among a group of things.
What is an example of an item?
Groceries on a shopping list are a good example: milk, bread, and eggs are each a separate item. Anything that can be counted or listed individually — a product in a shop, a point on an agenda, or an object in a collection — counts as an item.
What is the difference between an item and an object?
An item is usually one thing among a group or list, emphasising its place in a set. An object is any material thing you can see or touch, considered on its own. Every item can be an object, but 'item' stresses membership in a wider collection.
Can an item be non-physical?
Yes. Although we often picture physical goods, an item can be abstract — an item on an agenda, a news item, or a line item on a budget. As long as something is a single, countable entry in a list or group, it qualifies as an item.
What is a line item?
A line item is a single entry listed on its own line in a document such as a budget, invoice, or bill. Each line item shows one cost, product, or point separately, so totals can be broken down and checked. The term is common in finance and accounting.
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