bill
Bill (noun) means a request for payment, listing what is owed for goods or services. Example: “The waiter brought the bill after dessert.”
How to Use Bill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly: money owed for something, a proposed law, paper money, or a bird's beak.
In British English "bill" for a check at a restaurant; Americans usually say "check."
UK: "Can we have the bill?" — US: "Can we get the check?"
Word Forms
billed past tense, billed past tense, billed past tense, billed past tense, bills plural, bills plural, bills plural, bills plural, Bills plural, bills singular, bills singular, bills singular, bills singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The waiter brought the _____ after dessert.
Etymology
From Middle English bille, via Anglo-Norman from Medieval Latin bulla, meaning "sealed document" — the same root that gives us "bull" as in "papal bull."
Related Words
Rhymes for bill
See all rhymes for bill →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “bill” mean?
The word “bill” means a request for payment, listing what is owed for goods or services. In plain terms, most commonly: money owed for something, a proposed law, paper money, or a bird's beak.
How do you pronounce “bill”?
“Bill” is pronounced BIHL (/ˈbɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “bill” in a sentence?
Here is “bill” used in a sentence: “The waiter brought the bill after dessert.”
What part of speech is “bill”?
Depending on how it is used, “bill” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bill” come from?
The word “bill” comes from Medieval Latin. From Middle English bille, via Anglo-Norman from Medieval Latin bulla, meaning "sealed document" — the same root that gives us "bull" as in "papal bull.".
Is “bill” a common word?
“Bill” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “bill” have?
“Bill” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a request for payment, listing what is owed for goods or services.
What is the difference between a bill and an invoice?
They are almost the same document — an itemised request for payment — but differ by viewpoint and setting. A business issues an invoice to a customer, often with payment terms and a due date. 'Bill' is the everyday word, used by the person who owes it, as in a restaurant or utility bill.
What is the difference between a bill and a receipt?
A bill is a request for payment, sent before you pay, showing what you owe. A receipt is proof of payment, given after you pay, confirming the money was received. The bill asks for money; the receipt acknowledges you have handed it over. One comes first, the other after.
What is an example of a bill?
Common bills include the electricity, gas, and water bills for your home, a phone bill, and the bill you ask for at the end of a restaurant meal. Each lists the goods or services provided and the total amount owed, so you know exactly what you need to pay.