A method and system is provided for categorization of an item. A plurality of categories is organized in a hierarchy of categories with a plurality of categorizers corresponding to the plurality of categories. A featurizer featurizes the item to create a list of item features. The list is used in a categorizer system, including the plurality of categorizers, for determining a plurality of levels of goodness. The item is categorized in the categorizer system in the plurality of categories based on the respective plurality of levels of goodness. The best categories are processed first, allowing termination at any time. The system successively refines an item down a hierarchy, until the features no longer support further refinement. The categories and the degree of support for the categories are provided.