The Bill Includes a Service Charge: Definition

Meaning 1：service-charge bill (The bill includes a service charge)

The bill includes a service charge 🔊

ðə bɪl ɪnˈkluːdz ə ˈsɜːrvɪs tʃɑːrdʒ

The total amount you need to pay already has an extra fee for the service added to it.

Restaurant receipt showing service charge line

service-charge bill 🔊

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/ˈsɜːrvɪs tʃɑːrdʒ bɪl/

A document listing the total amount owed, which already includes a fixed extra fee for the service provided.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Roots: bill (Latin bulla), service (Latin servus), charge (Old French charger).

💡 Mnemonic

Remember: Service charge on bill = no extra tip. Imagine a bill with a big 'SERVICE INCLUDED' stamp.

📖 Example

After the lovely dinner, the waiter handed them the bill that included a service charge of 12%, so they didn't need to leave an extra tip. 🔊 After the lovely dinner, the waiter handed them the bill that included a service charge of 12%, so they didn't need to leave an extra tip.

🔗 Collocations

pay the bill – to give money to settle the total amount due

include a service charge – to have an automatic extra fee for service added

bill amount – the total sum shown on the check

🔄 Synonyms

check (n.) – a written order to a bank to pay money, or a restaurant bill

tab (n.) – a running total of money owed, especially at a bar or restaurant

invoice (n.) – a detailed list of goods or services provided with the total cost

📖 Cultural Story

In many European countries, restaurants add a 'service compris' fee to the bill, eliminating the need for extra tips. This tradition began in 18th-century France to standardize service costs.