Bill Meaning
/ˈbɪl/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)
nounA document, originally sealed; a formal statement or official memorandum. (Now obsolete except with certain qualifying words; bill of health, bill of sale etc.)
Sentence Examples
Bill Clinton spoke in ambiguous language when asked to describe his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
I'll bring you the bill immediately.
Please bill me for the books.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The restaurant gave me a paper ____ that listed the total cost of our meal.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Please remember to pay the electric ____ before the end of the month.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English bille, from Anglo-Norman bille, from Old French bulle, from Medieval Latin bulla (“seal, sealed document”). Doublet of bull (“papal bull; bubble”) and bulla.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Why, I'll exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men."
— c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], line 28:
"David Cameron insists that his latest communications data bill is “vital to counter terrorism”. Yet terror is mayhem. It is no threat to freedom. That threat is from counter-terror, from ministers capitulating to securocrats."
— 2012 December 14, Simon Jenkins, “We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 2, page 23:
"... the legion of bills in the suit have been transformed into mere bills of mortality ..."
— 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter 1, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC:
"He gave the change for a three dollar bill. Upon examination, the bill proved to be counterfeit."
— 1830, anonymous author, The Galaxy of Wit: Or, Laughing Philosopher, Being a Collection of Choice Anecdotes, Many of Which Originated in or about "The Literary Emporium":
"[…]So I wropped 'em up in a five dollar bill and tied 'em up and sent 'em, and they ain't back yet.”"
— 1935, Cabins in the Laurel, University of North Carolina Press, published 19 March 2014, →ISBN, page 231:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The restaurant gave me a paper ____ that listed the total cost of our meal.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Please remember to pay the electric ____ before the end of the month.