Ask Difference

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.
Received vs. Receipt — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Received and Receipt

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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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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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