billing
gb/bˈɪlɪŋ/ us/bˈɪlɪŋ/
B1
English
~ 5100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
the process of charging customers
The work or system of asking customers to pay money, usually by sending them a bill or invoice.
Usage pattern:
billing for [services/goods]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'billing' when they mean a single bill, saying *'I received a billing'* instead of *'I received a bill'* or *'I received an invoice'*. 'Billing' usually refers to the general process or system, not one document.
Synonyms
invoicing (Stresses the act of creating and sending invoices; often used in accounting contexts.)
|
charging (More general; can refer to asking for payment in any way, not only through formal bills.)
Antonyms
payment (Refers to money being paid, which is the opposite side of the transaction from billing.)
Collocations
online billing
|monthly billing
|billing address
|billing information
|billing system
|medical billing
Themes
business
|technology
|daily life
|finance
Examples
- The company introduced an online billing system to reduce paper use.
- Please contact customer service if you have any questions about your billing.
- Due to a computer error, our billing was delayed by two weeks.
- We offer flexible billing options for small businesses.
- She works in the hospital’s billing department, handling insurance claims.
Learner examples
- You can change your billing address on the website.
- There was a mistake in my billing for last month.
- Our new phone plan includes monthly online billing.
- He found a job in the billing office.
- The store changed its billing system last year.
Noun
B2
relation
2
position in promotional listings
The place or level of importance someone or something has when their name is shown in ads, posters, or other promotion.
Usage pattern:
to get [top/second/equal] billing
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'billing' here is about money, but it actually refers to how names are shown or ordered in promotion. In phrases like 'top billing' or 'second billing', it means the level of importance and visibility, not payment.
Synonyms
credit (Focuses on being named or recognized, especially in films and TV, rather than on ordering on posters.)
|
ranking (General word for level of importance; less specific to advertising or show business.)
Antonyms
obscurity (Describes having little or no public attention, the opposite of being prominently billed.)
Collocations
top billing
|second billing
|equal billing
|star billing
|shared billing
|headline billing
Themes
entertainment
|media
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- Despite being the most famous actor, she agreed to take second billing.
- Newer bands are hoping for top billing at this year’s festival.
- The sponsors demanded equal billing on all the event posters.
- He finally got star billing after years of playing small roles.
- The comedian’s name received prominent billing on the marquee.
Learner examples
- Her name has top billing on the movie poster.
- The new singer only got second billing at the concert.
- He was angry because he did not get equal billing with the other actors.
- The main actor gets better billing than the others.
- Small bands often have low billing at big festivals.
Verb
B1
action
3
charging customers and sending bills
The -ing form of 'bill': charging someone money for goods or services, usually by sending a bill.
Usage pattern:
to be billing [someone] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'billing' instead of the base verb, saying *'We billing our clients'* instead of *'We bill our clients'* or *'We are billing our clients'*. Remember that 'billing' needs a form of 'be' to make the present continuous tense.
Synonyms
charging (Very general word; does not always suggest a formal bill but often used in the same structures.)
|
invoicing (More formal and technical; used especially in accounting and business contexts.)
Antonyms
refunding (Instead of asking for money, you are giving money back to the customer.)
Collocations
billing customers
|billing clients
|billing monthly
|billing per hour
|billing for services
|billing in advance
Themes
business
|daily life
|finance
Examples
- We will be billing all customers monthly starting next year.
- The law firm is currently billing clients for the extra consultation hours.
- They have been billing us for services we never received.
- Our gym is now billing members automatically through their credit cards.
- The company stopped billing me after I cancelled my subscription.
Learner examples
- The phone company is billing me every month.
- We are billing our clients for the extra work.
- They will be billing you after the job is finished.
- The hotel is billing us for two nights.
- My internet provider is billing me too much.
Grammar
Dictionary form
billing
IPA
GB/bˈɪlɪŋ/
US/bˈɪlɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
billing (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (billing)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: billing
- Plural: billings
Verb
- Base: billing
- 3rd Person Singular: billings
- Present Participle: billinging
- Past: billinged
- Past Participle: billinged
Word family
Forms
billings
noun
billinging
verb
billinged
verb
Core family
bill
noun A2
Related words
billable
adjective
biller
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unbillable
adjective
Expressions
billing address
1/bˈɪlɪŋ ˈædɹˌɛs/
fixed phrase
address used for billing and payments
The address that your bank or card company has for you, used for bills and checking your payment details.
Examples
- Please enter your billing address exactly as it appears on your credit card statement.
- The payment failed because the billing address did not match the card details.
- You can update your billing address in your account settings.
billing cycle
1/bˈɪlɪŋ sˈaɪkəl/
fixed phrase
technical
regular period between bills
The regular time period, for example one month, after which you get a new bill from a company.
Examples
- Our billing cycle runs from the first to the last day of each month.
- You will see these charges on your next billing cycle.
- Changing your plan now may affect your current billing cycle.
billing information
1/bˈɪlɪŋ ˌɪnfɔɹmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
customer payment and bill details
Details like your name, address, and card number that a company needs to charge you and send you bills.
Examples
- Before you can subscribe, you must enter your billing information.
- The website securely stores your billing information for future purchases.
- Please check that your billing information is correct before confirming the order.
billing period
1/bˈɪlɪŋ pˈɪɹiəd/
fixed phrase
technical
time range a bill covers
The exact dates of the time that one bill covers.
Examples
- This billing period is from June 10th to July 9th.
- Your usage for the current billing period is higher than last month.
- Late fees will apply if payment is not received by the end of the billing period.
double billing
1/dˈʌbəl bˈɪlɪŋ/
fixed phrase
charging twice for one service
Charging a customer two times for the same thing, usually by mistake but sometimes dishonestly.
Examples
- The customer complained about double billing on her last statement.
- The firm was fined for double billing clients for travel expenses.
- Please check your invoice carefully to make sure there is no double billing.
top billing
1/tˈɑp bˈɪlɪŋ/
idiom
the most important advertised position
To be shown as the most important person or thing in ads, posters, or promotion, usually by having your name in the best place.
Examples
- The director gave the famous singer top billing on the concert poster.
- After years of small roles, she finally got top billing in a major film.
- Sponsors demanded top billing on all promotional materials for the event.