voucher
B2Neutral to Formal (business, commerce, travel). Less formal when referring to discount coupons.
Definition
Meaning
A printed or digital document that entitles the holder to a specified item, service, or financial discount.
A formal piece of evidence, such as a receipt or official document, used to verify a financial transaction; a person or thing that serves as a guarantee or testament to something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a substitute for money, but with specific restrictions on its use (e.g., a specific shop, for a specific service). In accounting, it's a document supporting an entry in the books.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'voucher' is commonly used for 'gift certificate' (e.g., a John Lewis voucher). In US English, 'gift card' is more common for this, while 'voucher' often implies a discount coupon or a document for reimbursement.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with retail gifts and school meal tickets. US: Stronger association with discounts, rebates, and travel (e.g., hotel voucher).
Frequency
More frequent in UK English for the 'gift certificate' sense. Comparable frequency in both for travel/tourism and financial contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
voucher for [something]voucher to [do something]voucher from [issuer]voucher worth [amount]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Document used to authorize a payment or substantiate an expense claim.
Academic
Rare; may appear in economics or marketing papers discussing consumer behavior.
Everyday
A ticket or code for a discount or a pre-paid gift for a shop or experience.
Technical
In IT/security, can refer to a digital certificate for authentication.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company agreed to voucher the expenses.
- He vouchered the transaction for audit purposes.
American English
- The accountant will voucher the payment.
- All costs must be vouchered before reimbursement.
adjective
British English
- The voucher system for school meals is under review.
- She received a voucher payment.
American English
- They use a voucher program for employee benefits.
- The voucher documentation was incomplete.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I got a voucher for my birthday.
- This voucher gives you £5 off.
- You can redeem the voucher online or in-store.
- The hotel gave us a breakfast voucher.
- The charity provides food vouchers to families in need.
- Please attach the original receipt as a voucher for your claim.
- The government is debating the implementation of a school voucher system.
- The auditor examined every financial voucher from the third quarter.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'VOUCH for her' with a voucher. A voucher is a document that vouches for your right to receive something.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A KEY (a voucher is a special key that unlocks a specific purchase).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'ваучер', which historically referred to privatization certificates in 1990s Russia, creating a false friend. Better equivalents: 'талон', 'купон', 'подарочный сертификат'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'voucher' interchangeably with unlimited cash (e.g., 'I paid with a voucher' vs. 'I paid with a gift card that had remaining balance').
- Misspelling as 'voucer'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'voucher' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Often similar, but a gift card is typically a stored-value card (like a debit card for one store), while a voucher is often a paper or digital code for a specific item, service, or discount. Usage varies by region.
Yes, in formal or accounting contexts. To 'voucher' means to record or substantiate with a voucher (e.g., 'voucher an invoice').
They overlap significantly. A coupon is almost always for a discount or special offer. A voucher can be for a discount, but also for a full-value item or service (like a gift voucher) or as an official document of proof.
Not inherently, but in some social contexts (e.g., 'food vouchers' for welfare) it can carry a stigma of charity or limited means, unlike the positive connotation of a 'gift voucher'.
Explore