A bill; a commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer indicating the products, quantities and agreed prices for products or services that the seller has already provided the buyer with. An invoice indicates that, unless paid in advance, payment is due by the buyer to the seller, according to the agreed terms.
"The accountant sent an invoice to the client detailing the consulting hours worked and requesting payment within thirty days."
In plain English: An invoice is a bill that lists what you bought and how much money you owe.
"The delivery driver left an invoice on my doorstep for the groceries I ordered online."
Usage: An invoice is a formal request for payment sent after goods are delivered or work begins, distinguishing it from a pro forma estimate issued before any transaction occurs. As both a noun and verb, it specifically refers to the official document detailing quantities and prices rather than a general receipt confirming that money has been received.
To bill; to issue an invoice to.
"The accountant will invoice the client next week for all services rendered last month."
In plain English: To invoice someone means to send them an official bill for goods they received or services you provided.
"The contractor will invoice you for the repairs next week."
The word invoice comes from the Middle French phrase envois, which is the plural form of envoi meaning "a sending." It entered English as a noun referring to something that has been sent, specifically a document detailing goods or services delivered.