Synonyms

itemize

American

[ahy-tuh-mahyz] / ˈaɪ təˌmaɪz /

especially British, itemise

verb (used with object)

to state by items; give the particulars of; list the individual units or parts of.

to itemize an account.
to list as an item or separate part.

to itemize deductions on an income-tax return.

verb (used without object)

to compute an income-tax return by listing separately all assets, credits, allowable deductions, losses, etc.

itemize British

/ ˈaɪtəˌmaɪz /

verb

(tr) to put on a list or make a list of

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of itemize

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60; item + -ize

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing itemize

Personal Finance and Financial Literacy - High School

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Personal Finance and Financial Literacy - Middle School

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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.

Provisions in the new law affected people who itemize their deductions—typically a wealthier group than those who take the standard deduction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Many people were aiming to get ahead of new rules in last summer’s tax law that limit tax breaks on charitable giving for high earners and those who itemize deductions.

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

This increases the odds you itemize, clears the future AGI floor, and maximizes deductions while the rules are more favorable.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023