bill
24 synonyms and 0 antonyms for bill, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A request for payment, listing what is owed for goods or services.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use bill
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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."
Full origin of 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.