item

UK: /ˈaɪtəm/

US: /n. ˈaɪtəm; adv. ˈaɪtɛm/

US: (n., v. ī′təm; adv. ī′tem)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

i•tem /n. ˈaɪtəm; adv. ˈaɪtɛm/   n. 

[countable]
1. a separate thing or particular article:
   There were at least 50 items on the list.
2. a piece of information:
   a news item.
3. Slang Terms a topic of gossip:
   The new couple in the neighborhood are a hot item.

adv. 

4. This word is used to introduce each article or statement in a list or series and means "also, likewise''.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

i•tem  (n., v. ī′təm;adv. ī′tem), n. 

1. a separate article or particular:
   50 items on the list.
2. a separate piece of information or news, as a short piece in a newspaper or broadcast.
3. Slang Terms something suitable for a news paragraph or as a topic of gossip, esp. something that is sensational or scandalous:
   The bandleader and the new female singer are an item.
4. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter I.
5. an admonition or warning.
6. Slang Terms [Older Use.] an intimation or hint.

adv. 

7. also;
   likewise (used esp. to introduce each article or statement in a list or series).

v.t. [Archaic.]

8. to set down or enter as an item, or by or in items.
9. to make a note of.

• Latin: likewise
• Middle English: likewise (adverb, adverbial), the same (noun, nominal) 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. thing; heading, entry.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

item noun / ˈaɪtəm/

1. a thing or unit, esp included in a list or collection
2. an entry in an account
3. a piece of information, detail, or note: a news item
4. two people having a romantic or sexual relationship

verb / ˈaɪtəm/

1. (transitive)
   an archaic word for itemize

adverb / ˈaɪtɛm/

1. likewise; also

Etymology: 14th Century (adv) from Latin: in like manner