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receipt

ri-SEET /rɪˈsiːt/

nounB1

general

A written or printed statement acknowledging that something has been paid for or that goods have been received.

It serves as proof of purchase and often details the items bought, price, date, and payment method. The 'p' is silent.

The story behind the word. The word 'receipt' comes from the Old French 'receite', which itself derived from the Latin 'recipere', meaning 'to receive' or 'to take back'. Originally, it referred to the act of receiving something. Over time, it evolved to specifically mean the written acknowledgment of having received money or goods.

Word relationships

voucher: Often for a specific value or service, not necessarily proof of a completed purchase.
invoice: A bill sent for goods or services, often before payment is made, whereas a receipt confirms payment.

Commonly confused with

recipe: A 'receipt' is proof of purchase; a 'recipe' is a set of instructions for preparing food.

Word family

receive (verb): To take or acquire (something given or offered).

Collocations

proof of receipt
itemized receipt
digital receipt
keep the receipt
get a receipt

Example sentences

"Always keep your receipt in case you need to return an item." After buying groceries.
"The email contained a digital receipt for her online order." Proof of payment.
"The car dealership provided a detailed receipt outlining all the charges and warranty information." When making a large purchase.

Memory hook

You RECEIVE a RECEIPT after you pay, proving what you RECEIVEd. Proof of receive

When not to use

Do not confuse 'receipt' with 'recipe'. A 'receipt' is for a purchase, a 'recipe' is for cooking.

Fun facts

The silent 'p' in 'receipt' is a historical quirk, added in the 16th century by scholars who thought the word should reflect its Latin root 'recipere' more closely, even though it wasn't pronounced.