The difference between Item and Thing

When used as nouns, item means a distinct physical object, whereas thing means that which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.

When used as verbs, item means to make a note of, whereas thing means to express as a thing.


Item is also adverb with the meaning: likewise.

check bellow for the other definitions of Item and Thing

  1. Item as a noun:

    A distinct physical object.

    Examples:

    "Tweezers are great for manipulating small items."

  2. Item as a noun (by extension, video games):

    An object that can be picked up for later use.

  3. Item as a noun:

    A line of text having a legal or other meaning; a separate particular in an account.

    Examples:

    "the items in a bill"

    "In response to the first item, we deny all wrongdoing."

  4. Item as a noun (psychometrics):

    A question on a test, which may include its answers.

    Examples:

    "The exam has 100 items, each of which includes a correct response and three distractors."

  5. Item as a noun:

    A matter for discussion in an agenda.

    Examples:

    "The first item for discussion is the budget for next year's picnic."

  6. Item as a noun (informal):

    Two people who are having a relationship with each other.

    Examples:

    "Jack and Jill are an item."

  7. Item as a noun:

    A short article in a newspaper.

    Examples:

    "an item concerning the weather"

  8. Item as a noun (obsolete):

    A hint; an innuendo.

  1. Item as a verb (transitive):

    To make a note of.

  1. Item as an adverb:

    likewise

  1. Thing as a noun:

    That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.

  2. Thing as a noun:

    A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.

  3. Thing as a noun:

    An individual object or distinct entity.

  4. Thing as a noun (informal):

    Something that is existent or generally recognised.

    Examples:

    "Bacon pie? Is that a thing?"

  5. Thing as a noun (legal):

    Whatever can be owned. Corporeal object.

  6. Thing as a noun (somewhat, _, dated):

    The latest fad or fashion.

    Examples:

    "What do you mean you don't twerk, Stacy? It's the latest thing!"

  7. Thing as a noun (in the plural):

    Clothes, possessions or equipment.

    Examples:

    "Hold on, let me just grab my things."

  8. Thing as a noun (informal):

    A unit or container, usually containing edible goods.

    Examples:

    "get me a thing of apple juice at the store; I just ate a whole thing of jelly beans"

  9. Thing as a noun (informal):

    A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.

    Examples:

    "The car looks cheap, but the thing is, I have doubts about its safety."

  10. Thing as a noun (slang):

    A penis.

  11. Thing as a noun:

    A living being or creature.

    Examples:

    "you poor thing; she's a funny old thing, but her heart's in the right place; I met a pretty blond thing at the bar"

  12. Thing as a noun:

    That which matters; the crux.

    Examples:

    "that's the thing: we don't know where he went; the thing is, I don't have any money"

  13. Thing as a noun:

    Examples:

    "Oh yeah, I'm supposed to promote that vision thing."

  14. Thing as a noun (informal):

    That which is favoured; personal preference. ()

  15. Thing as a noun (chiefly, historical):

    A public assembly or judicial council in a Germanic country.

  1. Thing as a verb (rare):

    To express as a thing; to reify.

Compare words: