itemize

/ˌaɪdəˈmaɪz/

/ˈaɪtəmaɪz/

Other forms: itemized; itemizing; itemizes

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.

Definitions of itemize

1. verb

   specify individually
   synonyms: enumerate, itemise, recite

   types:

   list, name

   give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of

   type of:

   identify, name

   give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property
2. verb

   place on a list of items
   “itemize one's tax deductions”

   synonyms: itemise

   type of:

   list, number

   enumerate