receipt
ri-SEET
/rɪˈsiːt/
A written or printed statement acknowledging that something has been paid for or received.
In retail, it is the primary legal document required for most returns.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'recepta,' meaning 'things received.' The 'p' was added in the 16th century to make it look more like its Latin root, even though the 'p' is silent.
Word relationships
- proof of purchase: A receipt is the most common form of proof of purchase, but proof of purchase can also include bank statements.
Commonly confused with
- invoice: An invoice is a request for payment; a receipt is proof that payment has already happened.
Word family
- receive (verb): to get or accept something
Collocations
- sales receipt
- gift receipt
- digital receipt
- keep the receipt
Example sentences
- "Always keep your receipt in case you need to return the item later." Store return requirement.
Memory hook
The 'p' is silent because the paper (receipt) is thin and quiet. Paper proof of payment.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a 'recipe,' which is for cooking.
Fun facts
- The oldest known receipts date back to ancient Mesopotamia, written on clay tablets.
Related words
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