Receive vs. Receipt — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 25, 2023

Receive is the act of getting something; Receipt is the written proof of that act.

Receive vs. Receipt — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Receive and Receipt

Key Differences

Receive refers to the action of obtaining or accepting something that has been sent or given. It's an active verb that denotes the process of coming into possession of an item or information. Receipt, on the other hand, signifies a written acknowledgment, usually indicating that something has been received.

Both words, Receive and Receipt, connect to the idea of acquiring something, but they highlight different aspects of that process. When one talks about the action itself, they might say they "receive a package." Conversely, if they want to discuss the documentation of that action, they'd refer to the "receipt of the package."

Both words have a close relationship in transactional contexts. Receive is the action you'd perform when you get something, and a Receipt is what you might get afterwards as a record. These terms are essential in contexts like shopping, where the act of receiving goods goes hand in hand with obtaining a receipt as proof of purchase.

Comparison Chart

Nature

Verb

Noun

Purpose

Denotes action

Provides documentation

Usage

"Receive a call"

"Get a receipt"

Associated With

Process

Proof/Record

Context

Transactional, communicative

Transactional, evidentiary

Compare with Definitions

Receive

To take into one's possession.

I will Receive the package tomorrow.

Receipt

A written acknowledgment of having received something.

I need the Receipt for my expenses.

Receive

To listen or attend to.

I Received a call from an unknown number.

Receipt

A record of a transaction.

Keep the Receipt in case of returns.

Receive

To experience or undergo.

The news was not well Received.

Receipt

A piece of paper or electronic document verifying a purchase.

The cashier handed me the Receipt.

Receive

To take or acquire (something given or offered); get or be given

Receive a present.

Receipt

Proof of a completed transaction or payment.

The Receipt showed the date and amount paid.

Receive

To be the person who gets (something sent or transmitted)

Receive an email.

Receipt

The act of receiving or the state of being received.

The Receipt of the letter was confirmed.

Receive

(Sports) To catch or get possession of (a pass or a kicked ball, for example).

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.

Receive

To have (a title, for example) bestowed on oneself.

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

Receive

To hear or see (information, for example)

Receive bad news.

Receipt

A recipe

She spent hours in the kitchen, trying all sorts of receipts

Receive

To perceive or acquire mentally

Receive a bad impression.

Receipt

Mark (a bill) as paid

The receipted hotel bill

Receive

To regard with approval or disapproval

Ideas that were received well.

Receipt

The act of receiving

We are in receipt of your letter.

Receive

To listen to and acknowledge formally and authoritatively

The judge received their oath of allegiance.

Receipt

The fact of being or having been received

They denied receipt of the shipment.

Receive

To take in and convert (radio waves, for example) into an electrical signal or into an audio or visual output.

Receipt

Often receipts A quantity or amount received

Cash receipts.

Receive

To experience or be subjected to; meet with

Receive sympathetic treatment.

Receipt

A written acknowledgment that a specified article, sum of money, or shipment of merchandise has been received.

Receive

To have inflicted or imposed on oneself

Receive a penalty.

Receipt

A recipe.

Receive

To bear the weight or force of; support

The beams receive the full weight of the walls and roof.

Receipt

To mark (a bill) as having been paid.

Receive

To take or intercept the impact of (a blow, for example).

Receipt

To give or write a receipt for (money paid or goods or services delivered).

Receive

To be exposed to or withstand

The hillside cottage receives strong winds.

Receipt

To give a receipt.

Receive

To take in, hold, or contain

A tank that receives rainwater.

Receipt

The act of receiving, or the fact of having been received.

A balance payable on receipt of the goods.

Receive

To admit or accept

Receive new members.

Receipt

(obsolete) The fact of having received a blow, injury etc.

Receive

To greet, welcome, or be visited by

Receive guests.

Receipt

(in the plural) A quantity or amount received; takings.

This weekend's receipts alone cover our costs to mount the production!

Receive

To acquire or get something; be a recipient.

Receipt

A written acknowledgment that a specified article or sum of money has been received.

Receive

To admit or welcome guests or visitors

The couple are not receiving this winter.

Receipt

(A piece of) evidence, documentation, etc. to prove one's past actions, accomplishments, etc.

Receive

To partake of the Eucharist.

Receipt

(A piece of) evidence (e.g. documentation or screen captures) of past wrongdoing.

Receive

To convert incoming electromagnetic signals into sound, light, or electrical signals.

Receipt

(archaic in New England and rural US since end of 20th century, elsewhere since middle of 20th century) A recipe, instructions, prescription.

Receive

(Sports) To receive a pass or a kicked ball, for example.

Receipt

(obsolete) A receptacle.

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.

Receipt

(obsolete) A revenue office.

Receive

(law) To take goods knowing them to be stolen.

Receipt

(obsolete) Reception, as an act of hospitality.

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.

Receipt

(obsolete) Capability of receiving; capacity.

Receive

To incur (an injury).

I received a bloody nose from the collision.

Receipt

(obsolete) A recess; a retired place.

Receive

To allow (a custom, tradition, etc.); to give credence or acceptance to.

Receipt

To give or write a receipt (for something).

To receipt delivered goods

Receive

(telecommunications) To detect a signal from a transmitter.

Receipt

To put a receipt on, as by writing or stamping; to mark a bill as having been paid.

To receipt a bill

Receive

(sports) To be in a position to take possession, or hit back the ball.

Receipt

The act of receiving; reception.

Receive

To be in a position to hit back a service.

Receipt

Reception, as an act of hospitality.

Thy kind receipt of me.

Receive

(American football) To be in a position to catch a forward pass.

Receipt

Capability of receiving; capacity.

It has become a place of great receipt.

Receive

To accept into the mind; to understand.

Receipt

Place of receiving.

He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom.

Receive

(telecommunications) An operation in which data is received.

Receipt

Hence, a recess; a retired place.

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.

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.

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.

Receipt

A writing acknowledging the taking or receiving of goods delivered; an acknowledgment of money paid.

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.

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.

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.

Receipt

To give a receipt for; as, to receipt goods delivered by a sheriff.

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.

Receipt

To put a receipt on, as by writing or stamping; as, to receipt a bill.

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.

Receipt

To give a receipt, as for money paid.

Receive

To take from a thief, as goods known to be stolen.

Receipt

The act of receiving

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.

Receipt

An acknowledgment (usually tangible) that payment has been made

Receive

To receive visitors; to be at home to receive calls; as, she receives on Tuesdays.

Receipt

Report the receipt of;

The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper

Receive

To return, or bat back, the ball when served; as, it is your turn to receive.

Receipt

Mark or stamp as paid

Receive

Get something; come into possession of;

Receive payment

Receive a gift

Receive letters from the front

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

Receive

Recieve (perceptual input);

Pick up a signal

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

Receive

Express willingness to have in one's home or environs;

The community warmly received the refugees

Receive

Accept as true or valid;

He received Christ

Receive

Bid welcome to; greet upon arrival

Receive

Convert into sounds or pictures;

Receive the incoming radio signals

Receive

Experience as a reaction;

My proposal met with much opposition

Receive

Have or give a reception;

The lady is receiving Sunday morning

Receive

Receive as a retribution or punishment;

He got 5 years in prison

Receive

Partake of the Holy Eucharist sacrament

Receive

Regard favorably or with disapproval;

Her new collection of poems was not well received

Receive

To be the recipient of.

She will Receive an award for her work.

Receive

To accept from a source.

He Receives a salary every month.

Common Curiosities

Do I always get a Receipt when I Receive something?

Not necessarily, but in transactional contexts, it's common to get a Receipt as proof.

Can Receipt be used as a verb?

Yes, though less common, "receipt" can be a verb meaning to acknowledge receipt of something.

How is Receive different from Receipt?

Receive is a verb denoting action, while Receipt is a noun representing proof or documentation of receiving.

How do I use Receive in a sentence?

"I will Receive the letter by tomorrow."

What does Receive mean?

Receive refers to the act of getting or accepting something that has been sent or given.

Can you use Receive in a passive sense?

Yes, for example: "The letter was Received yesterday."

What is a Receipt?

A Receipt is a written acknowledgment or proof indicating that something has been received.

Is a Receipt only for purchases?

No, Receipts can be for any acknowledgment, like donations or payments.

What's another term for Receipt?

"Acknowledgment" or "proof of purchase" can be alternatives for Receipt.

Is a Receipt always required for returns?

In many retail contexts, yes, a Receipt is often needed for returns to verify purchase.

How do I use Receipt in a sentence?

"Please keep this Receipt for your records."

Is the act of receiving always associated with a physical item?

No, you can Receive information, a message, or even an impression.

What's another word for Receive?

"Obtain" or "accept" can be synonyms for Receive.

Are digital Receipts as valid as paper ones?

Yes, in many contexts, digital Receipts are just as valid as paper ones.

Why is it important to Receive a Receipt?

Receipts serve as proof of transaction, useful for returns, warranties, and financial records.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Fiza Rafique

Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

Edited 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.