Bill Definition Bill Definition 1

Bill (noun) — a document on which the total amount of money that is to be paid for the purchase of goods or services is indicated. Bills are mostly used at retail outlets, dining places, hospitals or after certain services have been rendered.

Part of speech:
Noun (countable)
Phonetic transcription (IPA):
/bɪl/
CEFR level:
A2
Word frequency:

How to Pronounce “Bill”?

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Tips for “bill” pronunciation: 

The correct pronunciation of bill is the same as in “billion”, but with a short and quick i sound.

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Examples: How to Use “Bill” in a Sentence

Some examples of “bill” in English in sentences are as follows:

She laughed when the hotel bill included charges for extra towels.
The phone bill surprised him because he used data abroad.
They argued about who should pay the grocery bill.
I always check the bill twice before signing at the store.
The hotel asked for a deposit before sending the final bill.

What Are Synonyms for the Word “Bill”?

Knowing synonyms for “bill” can help one in speaking about payments, invoices, and financial documents.

Related nouns: invoice statement receipt

Synonyms (contextual): account tab note

Common collocations: electricity bill restaurant bill phone bill

“Bill” Word Formation and Description in Context

Here are some of the most common words with “bill” in them used in spoken and written English:

With adjectives: final bill unpaid bill monthly bill

With verbs: pay a bill check a bill receive a bill

With nouns (noun + noun): utility bill hospital bill bill payment

Idioms and Phrases with “Bill”

The term “bill” does not come with a lot of idioms in the sense of metaphoric expressions. The majority of its applications are literal and pertain to money and invoices. Nevertheless, there are a couple of frequently used figurative expressions that you can count on:

  • Foot the bill — to pay for something, often unexpectedly or for others.

    I had to foot the bill for dinner when my friends forgot their wallets.

  • Pay the bill — straightforward, but sometimes used figuratively for taking responsibility.

    Someone has to pay the bill for these mistakes.

  • Pick up the bill — to pay the cost of something for others.

    He picked up the bill at the café because it was his treat.

  • The bill comes due — figurative; consequences must be faced.

    Years of overspending mean the bill comes due sooner or later.
Bill Idioma Bill Idioma 1

Test Your Knowledge of “Bill” Meaning

Practice with these questions to see how well you understand the word bill and its common uses.

Type 1: True/false statements:
Choose the correct answer:
1
A bill refers to a written statement that indicates the amount of money you owe.
2
Different methods of payment for bills are available: online, in-person, and by mail.
3
A bill signifies a category of food.
Type 2: Right word order:
Put these mixed-up words in the correct order:
1
bill
paid
She
the
yesterday
2
restaurant
gave
The
us
after
finished
the
bill
we
3
checked
carefully
the
He
bill
Type 3: Choose the correct option
Select the one closest in meaning:
1
He paid the electricity bill online. What does “pay a bill” mean?
2
She checked the restaurant bill before leaving. What does “check a bill” mean?
3
The hotel asked us to settle the bill at reception. What does “settle a bill” mean?

Enjoy personalized learning!

“Bill” Word in Other Languages

See how to say “bill” in three widely spoken European languages.

Language Word for “Bill”
Flag Spanish Spanish   Factura
Flag French French   Facture
Flag German German   Rechnung

Did You Know It? Fun Facts About “Bill”

Bills are part and parcel of everyday life, their presence can be felt from restaurants to utility companies, and they hold an important role as they reveal precisely the amount owed to each of them and for what service or product.

  • The oldest bills uncovered so far are from the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia.

    They can be thought of as ancient bills, which marked the transactions and debts recorded on clay tablets by merchants. People then were obliged to pay for goods and services.

  • Some utility bills can enumerate a plethora of items.

    Current electricity or water bills might consist of detailed documents containing; usage charges, taxes, service fees, and discounts that require one to be very careful in checking.

  • Restaurant bills can sometimes surprise you with hidden fees.

    In some cases, the price of tips, service, or added taxes is already included; therefore, it is very important to check the bill before paying it.

Famous Quotes Featuring “Bill” in English

The “bill” is highly frequent in conversations about debts, payments, and court matters. Such references show the way philosophers and writers think about the presence of bills in everyday life.

“The man who never has money enough to pay his bills has too much of something else.”

— James Lendall Basford

Explanation: The quote suggests that if a person always has trouble paying their bills then probably he/she is spending their energy and focus on the less important things in life. The quotation indirectly conveys the requirement of being financially wise.

“Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.”

— Steven Wright

Explanation: This funny saying indicates that you will receive your bills almost immediately, faster than the time it takes for sending the money off to pay them.

“There is no such thing as a free lunch; someone always has to pay the bill.”

— Milton Friedman

Explanation: Metaphorically put, the term “bill” here is used by Friedman to stress that man has to pay for everything in life sooner or later.”