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

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.

Example Sentences

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

Chances are most of your guests will take the standard deduction rather than itemize those donations.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

A DAF can make sense for people who aren’t ultrawealthy if they plan to give to charity and itemize deductions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Nelson and Christy Matzen knew they were going to itemize in 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

When Deborah officially divorced Pullum in 2006, she had to itemize her income as part of a request for the judge to waive her filing fee.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

• enumerate