Receive vs. Receipt: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 30, 2023
"Receive" is a verb meaning to get or accept something, while "Receipt" is a noun referring to a written acknowledgment of having received something.
Key Differences
"Receive" and "Receipt" are interconnected in the English language, especially in contexts involving transactions. "Receive" is a verb, denoting the action of getting, accepting, or taking possession of something. In contrast, "Receipt" is a noun that refers to the physical or digital document acknowledging that a certain item, service, or amount of money has been received.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
When one talks about the act of getting a parcel, for instance, they would use the word "Receive." However, once they have the parcel, the paper that often comes with it, confirming its delivery and possibly detailing its contents or cost, is the "Receipt."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
"Receive" can be used in various scenarios, not just material transactions. For example, one can receive news, receive a guest, or receive feedback. On the other hand, "Receipt" is specifically associated with a tangible or digital acknowledgment, often financial or transactional in nature.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
In some older usages and formal contexts, "Receipt" can also mean the act of receiving, but in modern American English, this usage is rare. Nonetheless, both "Receive" and "Receipt" are rooted in the same etymological background but have evolved to have distinct meanings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
To encapsulate, while "Receive" focuses on the act or process of obtaining or accepting, "Receipt" zeros in on the tangible acknowledgment or proof of what has been received.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To get or accept something
A document acknowledging something was received
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Contextual Usage
Broad (can be used in various contexts)
Typically transactional or financial
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Relationship to Other
Act of getting or accepting
Proof or acknowledgment of receiving
Harlon Moss
Oct 29, 2023
Etymological Origin
Latin "recipere" (to take back)
From Old French "receite/recete" (receipt)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
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Receive and Receipt Definitions
Receipt
A piece of paper confirming payment.
I need this receipt for tax purposes.
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Receive
To experience or undergo something.
She received a lot of praise for her work.
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Receipt
Proof of a transaction or exchange.
She asked for a receipt after donating money.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Receive
To take or acquire (something given or offered); get or be given
Receive a present.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
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Receive
To be the person who gets (something sent or transmitted)
Receive an email.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
The fact of being or having been received
They denied receipt of the shipment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
(Sports) To catch or get possession of (a pass or a kicked ball, for example).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
A written acknowledgment that a specified article, sum of money, or shipment of merchandise has been received.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
To give or write a receipt for (money paid or goods or services delivered).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To listen to and acknowledge formally and authoritatively
The judge received their oath of allegiance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To take in and convert (radio waves, for example) into an electrical signal or into an audio or visual output.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
The act of receiving, or the fact of having been received.
A balance payable on receipt of the goods.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To experience or be subjected to; meet with
Receive sympathetic treatment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
(in the plural) A quantity or amount received; takings.
This weekend's receipts alone cover our costs to mount the production!
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To bear the weight or force of; support
The beams receive the full weight of the walls and roof.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
A written acknowledgment that a specified article or sum of money has been received.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
(A piece of) evidence, documentation, etc. to prove one's past actions, accomplishments, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To be exposed to or withstand
The hillside cottage receives strong winds.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
(A piece of) evidence (e.g. documentation or screen captures) of past wrongdoing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
(archaic in New England and rural US since end of 20th century, elsewhere since middle of 20th century) A recipe, instructions, prescription.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To admit or welcome guests or visitors
The couple are not receiving this winter.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To convert incoming electromagnetic signals into sound, light, or electrical signals.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
To give or write a receipt (for something).
To receipt delivered goods
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
To put a receipt on, as by writing or stamping; to mark a bill as having been paid.
To receipt a bill
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, etc.; to accept; to be given something.
She received many presents for her birthday.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To act as a host for guests; to give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, etc.
To receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
Capability of receiving; capacity.
It has become a place of great receipt.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
Place of receiving.
He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To allow (a custom, tradition, etc.); to give credence or acceptance to.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
A formulary according to the directions of which things are to be taken or combined; a recipe; as, a receipt for making sponge cake.
She had a receipt to make white hair black.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
(sports) To be in a position to take possession, or hit back the ball.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
A writing acknowledging the taking or receiving of goods delivered; an acknowledgment of money paid.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
That which is received; that which comes in, in distinction from what is expended, paid out, sent away, and the like; - usually in the plural; as, the receipts amounted to a thousand dollars.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
To put a receipt on, as by writing or stamping; as, to receipt a bill.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, or the like; to accept; as, to receive money offered in payment of a debt; to receive a gift, a message, or a letter.
Receyven all in gree that God us sent.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
Hence: To gain the knowledge of; to take into the mind by assent to; to give admission to; to accept, as an opinion, notion, etc.; to embrace.
Our hearts receive your warnings.
The idea of solidity we receive by our touch.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To allow, as a custom, tradition, or the like; to give credence or acceptance to.
Many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
Report the receipt of;
The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, and the like; as, to receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.
They kindled a fire, and received us every one.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To admit; to take in; to hold; to contain; to have capacity for; to be able to take in.
The brazen altar that was before the Lord was too little to receive the burnt offerings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
A written acknowledgment of having received something.
He kept the receipt for the laptop.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 10, 2023
Receive
To be affected by something; to suffer; to be subjected to; as, to receive pleasure or pain; to receive a wound or a blow; to receive damage.
Against his will he can receive no harm.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receipt
A recipe or formula.
The old book contained a receipt for a herbal potion. (Note: This is an archaic use.)
Harlon Moss
Oct 10, 2023
Receipt
The act of receiving.
The receipt of your letter made my day. (Note: This is a less common use.)
Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Receive
To bat back (the ball) when served.
Who, if we knewWhat we receive, would either not acceptLife offered, or soon beg to lay it down.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To receive visitors; to be at home to receive calls; as, she receives on Tuesdays.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To return, or bat back, the ball when served; as, it is your turn to receive.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
Get something; come into possession of;
Receive payment
Receive a gift
Receive letters from the front
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
Of mental or physical states or experiences;
Get an idea
Experience vertigo
Get nauseous
Undergo a strange sensation
The chemical undergoes a sudden change
The fluid undergoes shear
Receive injuries
Have a feeling
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
Express willingness to have in one's home or environs;
The community warmly received the refugees
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
Regard favorably or with disapproval;
Her new collection of poems was not well received
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Receive
To take into one's possession something given or sent.
She will receive the package tomorrow.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Receive
To catch a transmitted signal.
The radio can receive signals from afar.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
FAQs
Can "Receive" relate to non-material things?
Yes, you can receive information, blessings, or feedback.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Does "Receipt" have a verb form?
Yes, "to receipt" means to mark something as received.
Janet White
Oct 29, 2023
What is a "Receipt" primarily used for?
A "Receipt" is primarily an acknowledgment of having received something, often a document.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Do I always need to "Receive" something to get a "Receipt"?
Generally, a receipt is given after something is received, especially in transactions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Is "Receipt" used outside of shopping contexts?
Yes, it can be used in any context where acknowledgment of receiving is needed.
Janet White
Oct 29, 2023
Is every "Receipt" related to purchases?
Mostly, but it can also acknowledge other things like donations or deliveries.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 29, 2023
Can "Receive" be used in formal contexts?
Yes, it's appropriate for both formal and informal settings.
Sara Rehman
Oct 29, 2023
Is a digital confirmation a "Receipt"?
Yes, digital acknowledgments can also be receipts.
Harlon Moss
Oct 29, 2023
Can "Receipt" mean the act of receiving?
Rarely in modern English, but historically it has had that meaning.
Janet White
Oct 29, 2023
Is "Receive" always about tangible items?
No, you can receive news, a signal, or even a gesture.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 29, 2023
Is the "Receipt" of an old recipe book about food recipes?
In older texts, "Receipt" could mean recipe, so it's possible.
Janet White
Oct 29, 2023
Do I always get a "Receipt" when I buy online?
Most online transactions provide digital receipts, but it can vary.
Harlon Moss
Oct 29, 2023
Is keeping a "Receipt" important?
For financial or warranty purposes, it's often crucial.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 29, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
