item
Americannoun
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a separate article or particular.
50 items on the list.
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a separate piece of information or news, as a short piece in a newspaper or broadcast.
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Slang. something suitable for a news paragraph or as a topic of gossip, especially something that is sensational or scandalous.
The bandleader and the new female singer are an item.
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a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter I.
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an admonition or warning.
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Older Use. an intimation or hint.
adverb
verb (used with object)
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to set down or enter as an item, or by or in items.
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to make a note of.
noun
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a thing or unit, esp included in a list or collection
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accounting an entry in an account
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a piece of information, detail, or note
a news item
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informal two people having a romantic or sexual relationship
verb
adverb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of item
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “likewise” (adverb), “the same” (noun), from Latin: “likewise”
Explanation
An item is one thing, usually in a group or a list. At a restaurant, you might find yourself interested in a particular item on the menu (until you notice the price and decide to order a hamburger instead). Item is a Latin word meaning “likewise.” As early as the 15th century, this word was used in formal writing to introduce each point in a list (like a medieval version of the bullet point). The meaning of item has continued to evolve. Since the 1970s, it’s been used in casual speech to refer to a romantically involved couple: "Did you hear? Avery and Sam are an item!"
Vocabulary lists containing item
The SAT: Language of the Test, List 1
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The New SAT: The Language of the Test
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"Return to Titanic" and "Talking with Robert Ballard"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The headline on this item is a downer, but there’s actually some good news here, because at long last university faculty are pushing back against the relentless degradation of educational standards.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026
He confirmed that the item which could not find a buyer had been the cow from the Branxton Menagerie.
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026
Anyone, whether or not they worked at the airport or had a plane to catch, could walk in and leave an item as big as a suitcase.
From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026
The second item on the agenda: the Aug. 3 trade deadline, which would afford Mozeliak the opportunity to collect prospects for such players as pitcher Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano and outfielder Jo Adell.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026
“They like to collect these sheets every time you come in, to see how you’re doing,” Dr. Barney continued, “but on yours right now there’s one item of concern that we should discuss.”
From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
