Item vs. Thing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
An item is a specific, individual object or piece, while a thing is a more general term for any object, matter, or issue.
Difference Between Item and Thing
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
An item typically refers to a single, distinct object or unit, often part of a list or collection. It suggests a specific entity that can be identified. Thing, on the other hand, is a more generic term that can refer to any object, matter, or issue, often used when the exact nature isn't specified or important.
The word item often connotes a tangible object, something that can be touched or handled. It’s used in contexts like shopping lists, inventories, or collections. Thing, however, is broader and can refer to concepts, ideas, or intangible entities as well.
In usage, item can imply a level of importance or worth, often used in formal or official contexts. Thing is much more versatile, used in informal speech and can refer to almost anything, from physical objects to abstract concepts.
Item carries a sense of individuality, often used when distinguishing one object from others. Thing can be more ambiguous, sometimes used when the speaker is uncertain about the specifics or deems them unimportant.
Item is often used in specific, defined contexts, such as in legal, retail, or inventory settings. Thing has a wider range of use, encompassing various contexts from casual conversation to philosophical discussions.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Specificity
Specific, individual object or unit
General term for any object, matter, or issue
Tangibility
Often tangible and physical
Can be tangible or intangible
Formality
More formal, used in official contexts
Versatile, used in both formal and informal contexts
Level of Detail
Implies individuality and distinctness
Can be ambiguous or unspecified
Context of Usage
Legal, retail, inventories
Wide-ranging, from casual to philosophical discussions
Compare with Definitions
Item
Individual object
Please add bread as an item on the shopping list.
Thing
Matter or issue
The thing about traveling is that it broadens your perspective.
Item
Specific unit in a collection
The rare coin was the most valuable item in his collection.
Thing
Activity or event
Going to the movies is my favorite thing to do.
Item
Point or detail in a discussion
The next item on the agenda is the budget review.
Thing
An object or entity that is not or cannot be named specifically
What is this thing for?.
Item
Article or object of interest
The museum displayed an ancient item from Egypt.
Thing
An individual object, especially an inanimate object
There wasn't a thing in sight.
Item
News piece or report
Did you read the item about climate change in today’s paper?
Thing
A creature
That baby is the sweetest thing!.
Item
A single article or unit in a collection, enumeration, or series.
Thing
An entity or item
How many things are there on the test?.
Item
A clause of a document, such as a bill or charter.
Thing
Something referred to by a word, symbol, sign, or idea; a referent.
Item
An entry in an account.
Thing
Things Articles of clothing
Put on your things and let's go.
Item
A bit of information; a detail.
Thing
Things Possessions, including clothing; belongings
Pack your things.
It's time to go.
Item
A short piece in a newspaper or magazine.
Thing
Often things(Law) That which can be possessed or owned
Things personal.
Things real.
Item
A romantically involved couple
"[They] soon began seeing each other ... and were an item for a year and a half." (Peter J. Boyer).
Thing
Things The equipment needed for an activity or a special purpose.
Item
Also; likewise. Used to introduce each article in an enumeration or list.
Thing
An act, deed, or work
Promised to do great things.
Item
To record, especially in an itemized list.
Thing
The result of work or activity
Is always building things.
Item
A distinct physical object.
Tweezers are great for manipulating small items.
Thing
A means to an end
Just the thing to increase sales.
Item
An object that can be picked up for later use.
Thing
A thought, notion, or utterance
What a rotten thing to say!.
Item
A line of text having a legal or other meaning; a separate particular in an account.
The items in a bill
In response to the first item, we deny all wrongdoing.
Thing
A piece of information
Wouldn't tell me a thing about the project.
Item
(psychometrics) A question on a test, which may include its answers.
The exam has 100 items, each of which includes a correct response and three distractors.
Thing
An end or objective
In blackjack, the thing is to get nearest to 21 without going over.
Item
A matter for discussion in an agenda.
The first item for discussion is the budget for next year's picnic.
Thing
A matter of concern
Many things on my mind.
Item
(informal) Two people who are having a romantic or sexual relationship with each other.
Jack and Jill are an item.
Thing
A turn of events; a circumstance
The accident was a terrible thing.
Item
A short article in a newspaper.
An item concerning the weather
Thing
A particular state of affairs; a situation
Let's deal with this thing promptly.
Item
(obsolete) A hint; an innuendo.
Thing
Things The general state of affairs; conditions
"Beneath the smooth surface of things, something was wrong" (Tom Wicker).
Item
(India) item girl
Thing
(Informal) The latest fad or fashion
Drag racing was the thing then.
Item
(transitive) To make a note of.
Thing
(Informal) A persistent feeling, interest, desire, or aversion
She has a thing for him and keeps talking about him. I have a thing about seafood and never eat it.
Item
Likewise
Thing
(Slang) An activity uniquely suitable and satisfying to one
Let him do his own thing. Mountain climbing is really my thing.
Item
Also; as an additional article.
Thing
(Informal) Used to refer to something with disapproval or contempt
Where did you get that thing? I wouldn't drive that thing if you paid me.
Item
An article; a separate particular in an account; as, the items in a bill; he picked up four items at the drug store.
Thing
That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept.
Item
A hint; an innuendo.
A secret item was given to some of the bishops . . . to absent themselves.
Thing
A word, symbol, sign, or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity.
Item
A short article in a newspaper; a paragraph; as, an item concerning the weather.
Thing
An individual object or distinct entity.
Bacon pie? Is that a thing?
Item
A topic or piece of information having the salacious character of gossip, especially a romantic relation between two people; as, I hear that the boss and his new secretary are an item.
Thing
(legal)
Item
To make a note or memorandum of.
I have itemed it in my memory.
Thing
Whatever can be owned.
Item
A distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list;
He noticed an item in the New York Times
She had several items on her shopping list
The main point on the agenda was taken up first
Thing
Corporeal object.
Item
A whole individual unit; especially when included in a list or collection;
They reduced the price on many items
Thing
The latest fad or fashion.
Item
A small part that can be considered separately from the whole;
It was perfect in all details
Thing
(in the plural) Clothes, possessions or equipment.
Hold on, let me just grab my things.
Item
An isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole;
Several of the details are similar
A point of information
Thing
(informal) A unit or container, usually containing edible goods.
Get me a thing of apple juice at the store;
I just ate a whole thing of jelly beans
Item
An individual instance of a type of symbol;
The word`error' contains three tokens of `r'
Thing
(informal) A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor.
The car looks cheap, but the thing is, I have doubts about its safety.
Item
(used when listing or enumerating items) also;
A length of chain, item a hook
Thing
(slang) A penis.
Thing
A living being or creature.
You poor thing
Sweet young thing
She's a funny old thing, but her heart's in the right place
I met a pretty blond thing at the bar
Thing
That which matters; the crux.
That's the thing: we don't know where he went;
The thing is, I don't have any money
Thing
Used after a noun to refer dismissively to the situation surrounding the noun's referent.
Oh yeah, I'm supposed to promote that vision thing.
Thing
(informal) That which is favoured; personal preference. (Used in possessive constructions.)
It's not really my thing
Thing
(informal, with do) One's typical routine, habits, or manner. (Used in possessive constructions.)
Let me do my thing;
I'm here doing my thing
Thing
A public assembly or judicial council in a Germanic country.
Thing
(informal) A romantic relationship.
Thing
(informal) A romantic couple.
Are John and Jennifer a thing again? I thought they broke up.
Thing
(MLE) Alternate form of ting.
Thing
(MLE) Girl; attractive woman.
Look at the nyash on that thing!
Thing
(rare) To express as a thing; to reify.
Thing
Whatever exists, or is conceived to exist, as a separate entity, whether animate or inanimate; any separable or distinguishable object of thought.
God made . . . every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind.
He sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Thing
An inanimate object, in distinction from a living being; any lifeless material.
Ye meads and groves, unconscious things!
Thing
A transaction or occurrence; an event; a deed.
[And Jacob said] All these things are against me.
Which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Thing
A portion or part; something.
Wicked men who understand any thing of wisdom.
Thing
A diminutive or slighted object; any object viewed as merely existing; - often used in pity or contempt.
See, sons, what things you are!
The poor thing sighed, and . . . turned from me.
I'll be this abject thing no more.
I have a thing in prose.
Thing
Clothes; furniture; appurtenances; luggage; as, to pack or store one's things.
And them she gave her moebles and her thing.
In the garden [he] walketh to and fro,And hath his things [i. e., prayers, devotions] said full courteously.
Hearkening his minstrels their things play.
Thing
Whatever may be possessed or owned; a property; - distinguished from person.
Thing
In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly.
Thing
In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly; - used, esp. in composition, in titles of such bodies. See Legislature, Norway.
Thing
A special situation;
This thing has got to end
It is a remarkable thing
Thing
An action;
How could you do such a thing?
Thing
An artifact;
How does this thing work?
Thing
An event;
A funny thing happened on the way to the...
Thing
A statement regarded as an object;
To say the same thing in other terms
How can you say such a thing?
Thing
Any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence;
The thing I like about her is ...
Thing
A special abstraction;
A thing of the spirit
Things of the heart
Thing
A vaguely specified concern;
Several matters to attend to
It is none of your affair
Things are going well
Thing
An entity that is not named specifically;
I couldn't tell what the thing was
Thing
A special objective;
The thing is to stay in bounds
Thing
A persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion;
He has a thing about seafood
She has a thing about him
Thing
A separate and self-contained entity
Thing
Any object or entity
What’s that thing on the table?
Thing
Abstract concept
Trust is a fragile thing.
Thing
Unspecified entity
There’s a thing in the garage making noise.
Common Curiosities
Can thing refer to intangible concepts?
Yes, thing can refer to both tangible objects and intangible concepts.
Can thing be used to refer to an unspecified object?
Yes, thing is often used when the exact nature of the object isn't important or specified.
Is item used in inventories?
Yes, item is commonly used in inventories, lists, and collections.
Is thing a versatile word?
Yes, thing is versatile and used in various contexts, from casual to philosophical.
Does item imply a level of importance?
Yes, item often implies a certain level of importance or worth.
Can thing refer to activities or events?
Yes, thing can refer to activities, events, and even abstract concepts.
Is item used in formal contexts?
Yes, item is often used in more formal or official contexts.
Is item used in shopping lists?
Yes, item is often used in shopping lists to denote individual objects.
Is item a specific or general term?
Item is a more specific term, referring to individual objects or units.
What does the word item typically refer to?
Item usually refers to a specific, individual object or piece.
Can thing refer to matters or issues?
Yes, thing can refer to matters, issues, or any unspecified entity.
Can thing be used in formal writing?
While it can be used, thing is generally more common in informal speech.
Can item refer to news pieces?
Yes, item can refer to news pieces or reports.
Is thing used to describe abstract ideas?
Yes, thing can be used to describe abstract ideas or concepts.
Does item have a broad or narrow usage?
Item generally has a narrower usage compared to thing, often in specific contexts.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Absolute vs. Relative
Next Comparison
Amnesia vs. OblivionAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
