What is bill? Pronunciation and usage in English

bill means . Learn how to pronounce and use bill through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of bill

billnoun

/bɪl/
Definition & pronunciation of bill

The word "bill" in English has a few different pronunciations depending on where you are! Here's a breakdown:

1. American English (most common):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈbɪl/ (pronounced like "beel")
  • Breakdown:
    • "bi" - pronounced like the "bi" in "bit"
    • "l" - pronounced as a simple "l" sound

2. British English:

  • Pronunciation: /bɪλ/ (pronounced like "beel" but with a slightly shorter 'e' sound)
  • Difference: The vowel sound is a bit more closed and shorter than in American English.

Resources to hear the difference:

To summarize: While both pronunciations sound very similar, the key difference is the subtle variation in the vowel sound. For most situations, "beel" is perfectly acceptable in English.

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Usage and examples with the word bill in English

Let's break down how to use the word "bill" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. Financial Bills (Most Common)

  • Definition: A written demand for payment for goods or services.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to pay my bill this month." (Refers to a monthly statement from a utility company, phone company, etc.)
    • "He received a bill for $100 for the repairs." (A sum of money due.)
    • "Can you send me the bill for the hotel stay?" (A request for an invoice.)
    • "I'm worried about my credit card bill being too high."

2. Legislative Bills (Politics)

  • Definition: A proposed law.
  • Examples:
    • "Congress is debating a new bill on healthcare." (A proposed law about healthcare.)
    • “The bill passed the Senate.” (The law was approved.)
    • "This bill needs to be reviewed by lawyers." (A draft of a law.)

3. Commercial Bills (Business/Trade)

  • Definition: A written order instructing a bank to pay a sum of money to a specified person or company. (Think of this as a more formal form of an invoice)
  • Examples:
    • "He presented a bill of sale for the car." (Document proving ownership transfer)
    • “The company received a bill of lading.” (Receipt for shipment of goods) – Often used in international trade.

4. Toilet Bill (Informal - UK Usage)

  • Definition: Used humorously to refer to needing to use the toilet. This is primarily a British English expression.
  • Example: “I’m afraid I have a terrible bill!” (Meaning I need to go to the bathroom.)

5. Bill (as in a calculation):

  • Definition: Total cost or amount.
  • Examples:
    • "The bill came to $65." (The total cost of the meal.)
    • “Let’s keep the bill under $50.” (The total amount we want to spend.)

6. Bill (as in a request or demand – less common now)

  • Definition: A formal request or demand (often used in a historical context). Less frequently used today.
  • Example: “He sent her a bill for her assistance.” (An official request for help.)

Here's a table summarizing the common usages:

Meaning Example
Financial Payment "Pay your electricity bill."
Legislative Law "The government introduced a new bill."
Business Transaction "The bill of lading was signed."
Toilet "I've got a bad bill!" (UK)
Total Cost "The bill for the dinner was high."

Tips for Using "Bill" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "bill" is determined by how it's used in the sentence.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Bill" is generally a formal word. "Toilet bill" is informal and largely British.
  • Plural: The plural of "bill" is "bills." (e.g., "I have several bills to pay.")

To help me give you more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you looking for "bill" in? (e.g., "I need to write a sentence using 'bill' about a restaurant bill," or "I'm trying to understand how 'bill' is used in politics.")

Synonyms for the word bill

Idioms of the word bill

a clean bill of health
a report that says somebody is healthy or that something is in good condition
  • Doctors gave him a clean bill of health after a series of tests and examinations.
  • The building was given a clean bill of health by the surveyor.
fill/fit the bill
to be what is needed in a particular situation or for a particular purpose
  • On paper, several of the applicants fit the bill.
foot the bill
(informal)to be responsible for paying the cost of something
  • Once again it will be the taxpayer who has to foot the bill.
  • Who will be footing the bill for the party?

Practice with vocabulary bill

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The restaurant waiter handed me the _____ after we finished our meal.
  2. She was shocked when she saw the electricity _____ for the month.
  3. The invoice for the project was sent to the client yesterday.
  4. He decided to _____ his colleague for the coffee they shared.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which term refers to a formal document listing goods or services provided, along with the amount due?
    a) receipt b) invoice c) bill d) order
  2. What do you call a piece of paper currency?
    a) check b) bill c) note d) receipt
  3. Which word can mean both a proposed law and a request for payment?
    a) invoice b) ledger c) bill d) statement
  4. What is the total amount of money owed for services like electricity or water called?
    a) charge b) fine c) fee d) penalty
  5. Which term is used when referring to the beak of a bird?
    a) invoice b) bill c) receipt d) account

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The waiter brought the check to the table after the meal.
  2. The company sent a detailed invoice for the services rendered.
  3. The manager distributed the charges equally among the team members.

Answer

Exercise 1:

  1. bill
  2. bill
  3. invoice
  4. pay

Exercise 2:

  1. b) invoice, c) bill
  2. b) bill, c) note
  3. c) bill
  4. a) charge
  5. b) bill

Exercise 3:

  1. The waiter brought the bill to the table after the meal.
  2. The company sent a detailed bill for the services rendered.
  3. The manager distributed the fees equally among the team members.

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