bill
bill Lexical Profile
bill Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A printed or written statement of the money owed for goods or services received.
"After finishing their meal, they asked the waiter to bring the bill."
A draft of a proposed law presented to a parliament or legislature for discussion and enactment.
"The legislature voted overwhelmingly to pass the education reform bill."
North American A piece of paper money of a specified denomination.
"She paid for the groceries with a twenty-dollar bill."
The horny projecting jaw of a bird, especially one that is flattened or slender, or a similar structure in another animal such as a platypus.
"The duck used its broad bill to sift through the mud for aquatic plants and insects."
A printed poster, handbill, or program advertising a theatrical performance, concert, or public event.
"Several local bands were featured on the festival bill this summer."
• verb
To send a statement of charges to someone for goods supplied or services rendered.
"The law firm will bill the client at the end of the month for the consultation hours."
To advertise, promote, or describe someone or something in a particular way to the public.
"The upcoming championship match was billed as the greatest sporting event of the decade."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, people typically ask for the "bill" at a restaurant and pay with "notes" (paper currency), whereas in American English, people often ask for the "check" at a restaurant and pay with "bills".
• Rhymes for bill
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The word represents a convergence of two distinct etymological roots: the sense of a written document or invoice comes via Anglo-French from Medieval Latin 'billa' (a seal or sealed document, altered from Latin 'bulla'), while the anatomical sense of a bird's beak derives from Old English 'bill', originally meaning a sword or chopping tool.