What does "bill" mean?

1. (request for payment) a piece of paper that shows how much money you must pay for something you bought. 2. (paper money) a piece of paper money. 3. (bird's beak) the hard mouth part of a bird. 4. (proposed law) a plan for a new law that a government is discussing. 5. (the police) a slang name for the police. 6. (to send an invoice) to send someone a paper asking for payment. 7. (to advertise) to describe or advertise someone in a certain way.

Is it correct to say "I asked for the bill of the dinner."?

No — say "I asked for the bill for the dinner.". Use 'for' to indicate what the bill is charging you for.

bill

US //ˈbɪɫ// UK //bˈɪl// bill

1 request for payment (n.)
A1 Beginner

a piece of paper that shows how much money you must pay for something you bought.

an itemised statement of money owed for goods provided or services rendered.

Example

The waiter brought the bill to our table after we finished our coffee.

Example

The utility company sent a surprisingly high bill this month, prompting us to check the meter for potential leaks.
- receipt
Pitfall

I asked for the bill of the dinner.

I asked for the bill for the dinner.

Use 'for' to indicate what the bill is charging you for.
2 paper money (n.)
A2 Elementary American English

a piece of paper money.

a piece of paper currency issued by a central bank.

Example

He reached into his wallet and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill.

Example

The cashier refused to accept the hundred-dollar bill because the shop lacked sufficient change in the register.
- banknote
- note
- coin

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3 bird's beak (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the hard mouth part of a bird.

the horny projecting mouthparts of a bird; a beak.

Example

The duck dipped its bill into the water to look for food.

Example

The woodpecker's sturdy bill is specifically adapted for drumming against tree trunks to locate insects beneath the bark.
- beak
4 proposed law (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Law

a plan for a new law that a government is discussing.

a draft of a proposed statute presented to a legislature for discussion and potential enactment.

Example

The new bill aims to protect the local forest from building projects.

Example

After months of heated debate, the environmental bill finally passed the lower house with several significant amendments.
- proposal
- measure
- act
- law
5 the police (n.)
C1 Advanced British English Slang

a slang name for the police.

a collective slang term for the police force.

Example

The teenagers ran away when they saw the Bill arriving.

Example

He spent half his life trying to stay one step ahead of the Bill, but his luck eventually ran out.

Teacher's tip

Often used with 'the' or as 'Old Bill'. It is informal and specific to the UK.
6 to send an invoice (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to send someone a paper asking for payment.

to send a statement of charges to a client or customer.

Example

The lawyer will bill you for the time spent on your case.

Example

The consultancy firm bills its clients on a monthly basis, providing a detailed breakdown of all hours worked.
- invoice
- charge
7 to advertise (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Theatre

to describe or advertise someone in a certain way.

to advertise or schedule a person or event in a particular role or manner.

Example

The movie was billed as the most exciting thriller of the year.

Example

The festival organisers billed the young pianist as a child prodigy, though she was already in her late teens.

Origin

Hypocorism of William. It is unclear how the initial W became a B; this could have been part of the medieval trend of swapping letters, similar to Dick for Rick.

Idioms7 entries