Remove Dictionary Items in Python

Discover different methods to remove items from a dictionary in Python. Learn how to use the pop() method to remove specific items by key name.

Remove Dictionary Items

There are several methods to remove items from a dictionary:

Example

The pop() method removes the item with the specified key name:


thisdict = {
  "brand": "Ford",
  "model": "Mustang",
  "year": 1964
}
thisdict.pop("model")
print(thisdict)

Output


{'brand': 'Ford', 'year': 1964}

Example

The popitem() method removes the last inserted item (in versions before 3.7, a random item is removed instead):


thisdict = {
  "brand": "Ford",
  "model": "Mustang",
  "year": 1964
}
thisdict.popitem()
print(thisdict)

Output


{'brand': 'Ford', 'model': 'Mustang'}

Example

The del keyword removes the item with the specified key name:


thisdict = {
  "brand": "Ford",
  "model": "Mustang",
  "year": 1964
}
del thisdict["model"]
print(thisdict)

Output


{'brand': 'Ford', 'year': 1964}

Example

The del keyword can also delete the dictionary completely:


thisdict = {
  "brand": "Ford",
  "model": "Mustang",
  "year": 1964
}
del thisdict
# print(thisdict) # this would cause an error because "thisdict" no longer exists

Example

The clear() method empties the dictionary:


thisdict = {
  "brand": "Ford",
  "model": "Mustang",
  "year": 1964
}
thisdict.clear()
print(thisdict)

Output

{}