Received vs. Receipt — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 23, 2023
Received is the past tense of receive, indicating the act of getting something. Receipt is a document acknowledging the receipt of goods or services.
Difference Between Received and Receipt
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Received is the past tense of the verb 'receive', implying the action of getting or accepting something. Receipt is a noun referring to a document that confirms the acceptance of goods or services.
When you say something was received, you are describing the action of having taken delivery or possession of it. Receipt, on the other hand, is the physical or digital record of a transaction.
Received can be used in various contexts, like receiving a package, a message, or information. Receipt is specific to the context of transactions and proof of purchase.
Usage of received can be in different tenses to denote the time of receiving. Receipt is a static noun that refers to a document or proof regardless of the time.
Received is an action, part of the process of receipt. The receipt is the end product of the process of receiving something, a tangible acknowledgment.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb (past tense)
Noun
Definition
Act of getting or accepting something
Document acknowledging a transaction
Usage Context
Any act of receiving
Transactional scenarios
Example Usage
"The package was received yesterday."
"I kept the receipt for the purchase."
Relation to Transactions
Describes the action
Provides proof of the action
Compare with Definitions
Received
Acknowledged the receipt of information.
The application was received by the office.
Receipt
A recipe
She spent hours in the kitchen, trying all sorts of receipts
Received
Gotten possession or control of something.
The message was received loud and clear.
Receipt
Often receipts A quantity or amount received
Cash receipts.
Received
Been given or presented with something.
He received an award for his achievements.
Receipt
A record of a financial transaction.
She filed her receipts for reimbursement.
Received
Come into possession of something.
She received confirmation of her appointment.
Receipt
A document provided upon completion of a sale.
The store provides a digital receipt.
Received
Accepted or taken delivery of something.
The gift was received with gratitude.
Receipt
Evidence of purchase or payment.
Keep your receipt for warranty claims.
Received
Having been accepted as true or worthy, especially without firsthand corroboration
"the received wisdom that attributes academic success or failure to natural aptitudes" (Jerome Karabel).
Receipt
A receipt (also known as a packing list, packing slip, packaging slip, (delivery) docket, shipping list, delivery list, bill of parcel, manifest or customer receipt) is a document acknowledging that a person has received money or property in payment following a sale or other transfer of goods or provision of a service. All receipts must have the date of purchase on them.
Received
Simple past tense and past participle of receive
Receipt
The action of receiving something or the fact of its being received
Families in receipt of supplementary benefit
I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter
Received
Generally accepted as correct or true.
Receipt
Mark (a bill) as paid
The receipted hotel bill
Received
Conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers;
Standard English
Received standard English is sometimes called the King's English
Receipt
The act of receiving
We are in receipt of your letter.
Received
Widely accepted as true or worthy;
The accepted wisdom about old age
A received moral idea
Received political wisdom says not; surveys show otherwise
Receipt
The fact of being or having been received
They denied receipt of the shipment.
Receipt
A written acknowledgment that a specified article, sum of money, or shipment of merchandise has been received.
Receipt
A recipe.
Receipt
To mark (a bill) as having been paid.
Receipt
To give or write a receipt for (money paid or goods or services delivered).
Receipt
To give a receipt.
Receipt
The act of receiving, or the fact of having been received.
A balance payable on receipt of the goods.
Receipt
(obsolete) The fact of having received a blow, injury etc.
Receipt
(in the plural) A quantity or amount received; takings.
This weekend's receipts alone cover our costs to mount the production!
Receipt
A written acknowledgment that a specified article or sum of money has been received.
Receipt
(A piece of) evidence, documentation, etc. to prove one's past actions, accomplishments, etc.
Receipt
(A piece of) evidence (e.g. documentation or screen captures) of past wrongdoing.
Receipt
(archaic in New England and rural US since end of 20th century, elsewhere since middle of 20th century) A recipe, instructions, prescription.
Receipt
(obsolete) A receptacle.
Receipt
(obsolete) A revenue office.
Receipt
(obsolete) Reception, as an act of hospitality.
Receipt
(obsolete) Capability of receiving; capacity.
Receipt
(obsolete) A recess; a retired place.
Receipt
To give or write a receipt (for something).
To receipt delivered goods
Receipt
To put a receipt on, as by writing or stamping; to mark a bill as having been paid.
To receipt a bill
Receipt
The act of receiving; reception.
Receipt
Reception, as an act of hospitality.
Thy kind receipt of me.
Receipt
Capability of receiving; capacity.
It has become a place of great receipt.
Receipt
Place of receiving.
He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom.
Receipt
Hence, a recess; a retired place.
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.
Receipt
A writing acknowledging the taking or receiving of goods delivered; an acknowledgment of money paid.
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.
Receipt
To give a receipt for; as, to receipt goods delivered by a sheriff.
Receipt
To put a receipt on, as by writing or stamping; as, to receipt a bill.
Receipt
To give a receipt, as for money paid.
Receipt
The act of receiving
Receipt
An acknowledgment (usually tangible) that payment has been made
Receipt
Report the receipt of;
The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper
Receipt
Mark or stamp as paid
Receipt
A written acknowledgment of having received something.
He requested a receipt for his payment.
Receipt
Proof of a transaction.
The receipt showed all the items she purchased.
Common Curiosities
Is a "receipt" legally binding?
Yes, a receipt can serve as a legal proof of transaction.
Are receipts always required in transactions?
While not always required, they are important for record-keeping.
Can "received" be used in future tense?
Yes, in future tense it's "will receive" or "receiving."
Can a "receipt" be verbal?
Typically, receipts are written, but verbal acknowledgments can occur in informal situations.
Does "received" always imply ownership?
Not necessarily; it can simply mean something was delivered or accepted.
Can receipts be returned or exchanged?
Receipts themselves are not exchangeable, but they can facilitate returns or exchanges of items.
Is "received" used in financial contexts?
Yes, it's used in various contexts, including finance.
Is "received" only used for physical items?
No, it can be used for information, messages, and other non-physical items.
Can "receipt" refer to a digital document?
Yes, receipts can be both physical and digital.
Does "received" imply successful delivery?
Generally, yes, it implies successful acceptance or delivery.
Do electronic receipts have the same validity as paper ones?
Yes, electronic receipts are equally valid.
Are handwritten receipts reliable?
They can be, as long as they contain essential transaction details.
Is "received" used in formal communication?
Yes, it's commonly used in formal and informal communication.
Can "received" refer to a state of mind?
In a metaphorical sense, it can refer to the acceptance of ideas or opinions.
Can "received" be used in legal documents?
Yes, it's often used in legal contexts to confirm receipt of documents or items.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
