itemize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
itemizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
itemized,
past participle, past
-
itemizing
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
itemizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
itemized,
past participle, past
-
itemizing
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
itemizationnoun
-
itemizernoun
-
nonitemizernoun
-
reitemizeverb (used with object)
-
misitemizedadjective
-
nonitemizedadjective
-
unitemizedadjective
-
well-itemizedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
itemizesimple
-
itemizessimple
-
have itemizedperfect
-
has itemizedperfect
-
am itemizingprogressive
-
are itemizingprogressive
-
is itemizingprogressive
-
have been itemizingperfect progressive
-
has been itemizingperfect progressive
Past
-
itemizedsimple
-
had itemizedperfect
-
was itemizingprogressive
-
were itemizingprogressive
-
had been itemizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of itemize
Explanation
To itemize is to make a list. If you work at a store that sells pet fish, you might need to itemize your stock of fish — separately listing the number of goldfish, cuttlefish, and jellyfish. When you place items, or individual things, on a list, you itemize them. Though itemize is essentially a synonym for list, it is usually used for more formal situations and those related to budget. So itemize your tax deductions or your spending report, or even itemize the reactions of your chemistry experiment. But to itemize your complaints about your little brother is probably going overboard.
Vocabulary lists containing itemize
Personal Finance and Financial Literacy - High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Personal Finance and Financial Literacy - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
See Examples For:
As a result, many donors should consider bunching donations even if they itemize every year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
People itemize charitable gifts if their total allowable itemized deductions — including donations to qualified charities, mortgage interest, and state and local taxes — exceed the standard deduction.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 11, 2026
Nelson and Christy Matzen knew they were going to itemize in 2025.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026
Taxpayers who choose to itemize could be affected by two policy changes depending on their level of wealth.
From Barron's ● Mar. 17, 2026
When Uncle Al discovers that city officials have yet to itemize the Fox Brothers baggage stock, a handful of nondescript horses get spirited from one stable tent to another.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
The lender owes tax on the interest, and the borrower often can deduct it if he or she itemizes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Further, regardless of whether one itemizes or uses the standard deduction, an additional $6,000 deduction is available to many taxpayers over 65.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
It identifies when we lift a product from a shelf, freezer or produce bin, automatically itemizes the goods and charges us when we leave the store.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 28, 2022
The deduction is known as an “above-the-line” deduction because it reduces the amount of income subject to tax regardless of whether the taxpayer itemizes their deductions or chooses the standard deduction on their tax return.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2017
“My idea of her passport itemizes every feature you possess,” he said, laughing; “five feet seven; dark hair, brown eyes, regular features, small, well-shaped hands——” “Please—Captain West!”
From Special Messenger by Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers
This year there’s also a new limit on itemized deductions for top-bracket filers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
Her top tips include: When you get a bill, don’t pay until you ask the hospital for an itemized bill.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
If all of the expenses you could use as itemized deductions — other than the mortgage interest — totaled $20,000, the first $15,500 in mortgage interest paid does nothing to reduce your taxable income.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
In addition to reducing or eliminating the enhanced senior deduction, higher gross income can trigger a Medicare premium increase, additional taxes, or a reduction in the itemized deduction for medical costs.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026
This time all her parents have had to do is bring down the boxes from a closet shelf, retrieve the jewels from the safety deposit box, find the itemized list for the caterer.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Last year, many filers who had been taking the standard deduction returned to itemizing due to the expanded deduction for state and local taxes, or SALT.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
The new deduction—$6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for couples filing jointly—can be used whether you are claiming the standard deduction or itemizing deductions, regardless of whether you are already taking Social Security payments.
From Barron's ● Apr. 25, 2026
This goes back to the hassle of itemizing donations.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 11, 2026
I’ve found myself calculating the social risk, itemizing what would work in our favor.
From Slate ● Feb. 19, 2026
I first gave a general overview of my travels, itemizing the money we had received and the offers of training.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
