Bill vs Receipt

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Bill	Receipt
Meaning	A piece of paper that shows how much money you need to pay.	A piece of paper that proves you bought something.
CEFR level	A1	B1
Part of speech	noun	noun
Usage notes	Used when referencing payments, like at a restaurant. Avoid using 'bill' in very formal written contexts; 'invoice' may be better there.	Use 'receipt' in contexts involving shopping or transactions. It’s appropriate in both formal and informal scenarios, but more casual terms may be used in conversations among friends, such as 'proof of purchase'.

Frequently asked questions: Bill vs Receipt

What's the difference between "Bill" and "Receipt"?

"Bill" means: A piece of paper that shows how much money you need to pay. "Receipt" means: A piece of paper that proves you bought something.

When should I use "Bill" and "Receipt"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Bill" and "Receipt" the same CEFR level?

"Bill" is at A1, "Receipt" is at B1 on the CEFR scale.