invoice
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a document sent by a seller to a buyer that lists what was bought and how much money is owed.
n.a commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer, indicating products, quantities, and agreed prices for items or services provided.
Simple“The company sent an invoice for the new office furniture they delivered last week.”
In context“Please ensure that the invoice includes the purchase order number to avoid any delays in the accounting department's payment cycle.”
UsageCommonly used with the verbs 'issue', 'submit', 'settle', or 'pay'.
PitfallI paid the invoice and got an invoice back. I paid the invoice and got a receipt back.An invoice is a request for payment; a receipt is proof that you have already paid.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to send someone a document asking for payment for work or goods.
v.to issue a commercial invoice to a client or to record specific goods or services on an invoice.
Simple“We will invoice you at the end of the month for the hours we worked.”
In context“The consultancy typically invoices its clients on a net-30 basis, meaning payment is expected within thirty days of the document date.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb that can take either the person being billed or the service provided as its direct object.
Borrowed from Middle French envois pl, plural of envoi, from the verb envoyer (“to send”). See also envoy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.