Items

/ˈaɪtəmz/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonQuantity
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Individual things, objects, or elements that are parts of a group, set, or list.

/ˈaɪtəmz/

nounneutralBeginner
Quantity

Individual things or parts of a set.

The restaurant offered a wide variety of items on its menu.

💡 Simply: Items are like the individual things on a to-do list or a shopping cart. They're the separate things you need or are dealing with. Like, you might have several *items* in your backpack: a book, a pencil, and a snack!

👶 For kids: Things that are part of a group or list, like toys in a toybox or foods on a plate.

More Examples

2

Please list each of the items you purchased.

3

The meeting agenda had several items for discussion.

How It's Used

Shopping

"She added several items to her grocery list."

Accounting

"Each item on the invoice was carefully checked."

Lists

"The agenda included several items for discussion."

2

A distinct entry or topic within a list, agenda, or series.

/ˈaɪtəmz/

nounneutralBeginner
Concept

A specific entry or topic in a list or agenda.

The first item on the agenda will be the budget.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have a to-do list. Each thing you need to do is an *item* on the list. Like, "Get milk" is an *item* and "Finish homework" is another *item*!

👶 For kids: One thing on a list, like a game on a list of games you want to play.

More Examples

2

Let's move on to the next item of discussion.

3

Each item in the contract was carefully reviewed.

How It's Used

Meetings

"The first item on the agenda was the budget review."

Legal

"Each item in the contract was carefully reviewed."

Tip:Think of *items* on a checklist - each a separate thing to do or consider.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

itemize

To list or present things individually.

"Please itemize your expenses."

From Middle English *item*, from Latin *item* ('likewise, also'), a word used to introduce a new point or element in a list or sequence. The meaning evolved to denote individual units or articles.

Used in lists and inventories since the late 14th century. The plural form 'items' developed naturally to signify multiple individual entries or articles.

Memory tip

Think of shopping list *items* - each thing on the list.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"Likewise; also"

grocery itemsmenu itemsagenda itemslisted itemsseparate items

Common misspellings

ittemsitemesiteams

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written