receipt
rih-SEET
/rɪˈsiːt/
A piece of paper or electronic document that proves you have paid for something.
The 'p' is silent. It is a formal record of a transaction.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'recipere', meaning 'to receive'. In the Middle Ages, a 'receipt' was a written acknowledgment that something had been received. The silent 'p' was added in the 16th century to make the word look more like its Latin root.
Word relationships
- proof of purchase: A more formal or legal term for a receipt.
- voucher: Usually refers to a document that can be exchanged for goods or services, rather than a record of payment.
Commonly confused with
- recipe: A 'recipe' is for cooking; a 'receipt' is for buying.
Word family
- receive (verb): To get or accept something.
- receipts (noun): Plural form of receipt.
Collocations
- sales receipt
- digital receipt
- keep the receipt
Example sentences
- "Please keep your receipt in case you need to return the item." Consumer Rights
- "I need to submit my travel receipts to the accounting department for reimbursement." Business
Memory hook
You 'receive' a 'receipt' after you pay. Receipt: A record of what you received.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'recipe', which is a set of instructions for cooking.
Fun facts
- In some countries, it is legally required for a store to provide a receipt for every transaction.
- Thermal paper used for receipts often contains BPA, a chemical that can be absorbed through the skin.
Explore more words
proof of purchase, confirmation, document, transaction, voucher, statement
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