bill
BIHL
Bill (noun) means a request for payment, listing what is owed for goods or services. Example: “When the bill arrived, we split it equally between the four of us.”
noun
1
A request for payment, listing what is owed for goods or services.
"When the bill arrived, we split it equally between the four of us."
"The waiter brought the bill after dessert."
"She pays her electricity bill online every month."
2
A proposed law presented to a legislature for debate and approval.
"Members of parliament will vote on the bill next week."
"The bill was amended several times before it became law."
"The senator introduced a bill to reform healthcare funding."
3
A piece of paper currency.
"He paid for the coffee with a ten-dollar bill."
"She found a crumpled bill in the pocket of her old coat."
"Do you have a bill smaller than this one for the bus?"
4
The beak of a bird.
"The toucan has a huge, colourful bill."
"The little bird used its thin bill to pick seeds out of the grass."
"The duck's bill is flat and wide."
verb
1
To send someone an invoice for money owed.
"The plumber said he would bill me after finishing the job."
"Our dentist bills patients directly rather than through the clinic."
"The contractor will bill us at the end of the month."
How to use bill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly: money owed for something, a proposed law, paper money, or a bird's beak.
Common mistake
In British English "bill" for a check at a restaurant; Americans usually say "check."
UK vs US
UK: "Can we have the bill?" — US: "Can we get the check?"
Common pairings
pay the bill
pass a bill
foot the bill
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Word forms
- Plural
- bills
- Third person singular
- bills
- Past tense
- billed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
When the _____ arrived, we split it equally between the four of us.
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."
Synonyms
View more →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.
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