Cool MateBill
UK /["/bɪl/"]/US /["/bɪl/"]/
Definition
a document that shows how much you owe somebody for goods or services
In simple words: A piece of paper that shows how much money you need to pay.
Examples
- Bill was excited to start his new job today.
- I need to pay the electricity bill before the due date.
- Bill is a common name in the United States.
- Have you seen the latest bill in Congress?
- Bill loves to play basketball with his friends.
Usage notes
Used when referencing payments, like at a restaurant. Avoid using 'bill' in very formal written contexts; 'invoice' may be better there.
Grammar pattern
bill + object
Memory hint
Think of a bill as a paper 'chill' for your wallet.
Collocations
- big
- hefty
- high
- get
- receive
- be landed with
- arrive
- come in
- amount to
- payment
- collector
- bill for
- ask for
- bring
- get
- arrive
- come
- come to
- five-dollar
- twenty-dollar
- etc.
- count
- count out
- controversial
- comprehensive
- sweeping
- bring forward
- bring in
- introduce
- become law
- contain
- include something
- double
- head
- top
- share
- on a/the bill
Synonyms
- beak
Antonyms
- credit
- refund
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'check' in American English vs 'bill' in British English.
- Using 'bill' to describe a document that requires payment but is not a bill.
- Saying 'bills' instead of 'bill' when referring to the total amount.