Invoice
/ˈɪnvɔɪs/
Definitions
2 meaningsA document sent to a buyer by a seller, listing the goods or services provided and the amount due.
/ˈɪnvɔɪs/
A document requesting payment
The company sent us an invoice for the recent delivery.
💡 Simply: Imagine you bought something awesome! An invoice is like a fancy bill that says what you bought, how much it cost, and when you need to pay. It's what the store or company sends you!
👶 For kids: It's a paper that tells you how much money you need to pay for something.
More Examples
I need to pay the invoice before the due date.
Please provide the invoice number when making the payment.
How It's Used
"The accountant sent out the monthly invoices."
"I need a copy of the invoice for my purchase."
To send an invoice to someone or an organization.
/ˈɪnvɔɪs/
To send an invoice
The consultant invoiced the client for their services.
💡 Simply: When you 'invoice' someone, you're sending them a bill (the invoice!) for services or products you provided. Think of it as 'billing' in a more formal way.
👶 For kids: To send a paper that says how much money someone has to pay.
More Examples
We need to invoice the customer immediately after the project is completed.
Make sure to invoice all expenses incurred during the trip.
How It's Used
"The company will invoice the client next week."
"The vendor invoices the client for the work completed."
Idioms & expressions
Pro forma invoice
A preliminary invoice sent to a buyer before goods are shipped, or services are rendered.
"The seller sent a pro forma invoice to the buyer to outline the estimated costs and terms of sale."
raise an invoice
To create and send an invoice.
"The accountant needs to raise an invoice for the recent order."
From Middle English *envoise*, from Old French envois, from envoyer (“to send”). The sense of a bill of goods or services dates back to the late 14th century.
The word 'invoice' has been used since the late 14th century, originally referring to a bill of goods.
Memory tip
Think of a bill but more formal. The invoice tells you how much you owe.