itemize

American  

[ahy-tuh-mahyz] / ˈaɪ təˌmaɪz /

especially British, itemise

verb (used with object)

itemized, itemizing

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

   to itemize an account.

2. to list as an item or separate part.

   to itemize deductions on an income-tax return.

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verb (used without object)

itemized, itemizing

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

itemize British  

/ ˈaɪtəˌmaɪz /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• itemization noun
• itemizer noun
• misitemized adjective
• nonitemized adjective
• nonitemizer noun
• reitemize verb (used with object)
• unitemized adjective
• well-itemized adjective

Etymology

Origin of itemize

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

Example Sentences

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 deduction is available whether you itemize or take the standard deduction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

To get a bigger deduction, you have to itemize, which realistically means making donations totaling over $20,000.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 19, 2025

Millions of households that don’t itemize will still get a small but meaningful tax benefit for supporting qualified causes.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 5, 2025

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

Related Words

• enumerate