# item

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈaɪ.təm/ · frequency rank #2,629

## Definitions
1. A distinct physical object.
2. An object that can be picked up for later use.
3. A line of text having a legal or other meaning; a separate particular in an account.
4. A question on a test, which may include its answers.
5. A matter for discussion in an agenda.
6. Two people who are having a romantic or sexual relationship with each other.
7. A short article in a newspaper.
8. A hint; an innuendo.
9. Ellipsis of item girl.

## Etymology
From Middle English item, from Latin item (“also; in the same manner”). The present English meaning derives from a usage in lists, where the first entry would begin in primis (“firstly”) or imprimis, and the other entries with item (“also, moreover”). Later, the members of lists were referred to as "items".

## Easily confused with
- **its** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/item-vs-its)
- **itt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/item-vs-itt)
- **ith** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/item-vs-ith)
- **Ives** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/item-vs-ives)
- **Iver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/item-vs-iver)
- **itty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/item-vs-itty)
- **items** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/item-vs-items)
- **it** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/it-vs-item)
- **I'm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/i-m-vs-item)
- **ice** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ice-vs-item)
- **IBM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ibm-vs-item)
- **Ike** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ike-vs-item)
- **ire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ire-vs-item)
- **ide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ide-vs-item)
- **IED** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ied-vs-item)
- **ile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ile-vs-item)
- **ITC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/itc-vs-item)
- **IEA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/iea-vs-item)
- **IOM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/iom-vs-item)
- **IEP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/iep-vs-item)

## Common misspellings (3)
`ietm`, `itemm`, `ittem`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/item