# bill

> English word · Noun · IPA /bɪl/ · frequency rank #729

## Definitions
1. A written list or inventory. (Now obsolete except in specific senses or set phrases; bill of lading, bill of goods, etc.)
2. A document, originally sealed; a formal statement or official memorandum. (Now obsolete except with certain qualifying words; bill of health, bill of sale etc.)
3. A draft of a law, presented to a legislature for enactment; a proposed or projected law.
4. A declaration made in writing, stating some wrong the complainant has suffered from the defendant, or a fault committed by some person against a law.
5. A piece of paper money; a banknote.
6. A piece of paper money; a banknote.
7. One hundred pounds sterling.
8. A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, with the price or charge owing; an invoice.
9. A written note of goods sold, services rendered, or work done, listing the price or charge paid; a receipt.
10. A paper, written or printed, and posted up or given away, to advertise something, as a lecture, a play, or the sale of goods
11. A writing that binds the signer or signers to pay a certain sum at a future day or on demand, with or without interest, as may be stated in the document; a bill of exchange. In the United States, it is usually called a note, a note of hand, or a promissory note.
12. A set of items presented together.
13. A list of pupils to be disciplined for breaking school rules.

## Etymology
From Middle English bille, from Anglo-Norman bille, from Old French bulle, from Medieval Latin bulla (“seal, sealed document”). Doublet of bull (“papal bull; bubble”) and bulla.

## Easily confused with
- **BL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bl)
- **bit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bit)
- **bin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bin)
- **bio** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bio)
- **BLM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-blm)
- **bis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bis)
- **biz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-biz)
- **bla** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bla)
- **bol** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bol)
- **BLS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bls)
- **bim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bim)
- **Bir** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bir)
- **BLE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-ble)
- **bly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bly)
- **bird** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bird)
- **bowl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bowl)
- **bull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bull)
- **bite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bite)
- **bold** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bold)
- **bulk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bill-vs-bulk)

## Common misspellings (4)
`bbill`, `bil`, `blil`, `ibll`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bill