Definition

1. Noun:
   • A negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed: A piece of paper or digital code that serves as a substitute for money, often given as a gift or discount, and can be exchanged for goods or services.
   • A document that serves as evidence of some expenditure: A receipt or official form that proves a payment has been made or an expense incurred, often used for accounting or reimbursement purposes.
   • Someone who vouches for another or for the correctness of a statement: (Archaic/Legal) A person who gives a guarantee or acts as a witness to the character or truth of something.

Usage Examples

• As a negotiable certificate:
  • I received a $50 gift voucher for my birthday.
  • Use this discount voucher at checkout to save 20%.
• As a document of evidence:
  • Keep your travel vouchers to claim expenses from the company.
  • The accountant requested all payment vouchers for the audit.
• As a person who vouches:
  • He acted as a voucher for the defendant's good character in court. (This usage is now rare.)

Advanced Usage

• "To voucher for something": To provide a voucher as proof or to authorize payment.
  • The department will voucher for the cost of the seminar.
• In accounting: A voucher is often part of a "voucher system," a method for authorizing and recording liabilities and cash payments.
  • All purchases must be supported by an approved voucher.

Variants and Related Words

• Vouchee (n, archaic): A person for whom someone vouches.
• Vouch (v): To assert, guarantee, or give personal assurance.
• Voucherless (adj): Without a voucher.

Synonyms

• Coupon: A certificate offering a discount or gift (similar to the first meaning).
• Token: A voucher exchangeable for goods or services.
• Receipt: A written acknowledgment of payment (similar to the second meaning).
• Chit: A short official note, memo, or voucher, especially for money owed.
• Warrant: A document authorizing payment or action.

Related Phrases

• Gift voucher: A voucher with a monetary value for purchasing goods, often from a specific store.
  • She bought a bookstore gift voucher for her friend.
• Meal voucher: A voucher provided by an employer, exchangeable for food.
  • Employees get lunch meal vouchers as a benefit.
• Voucher system: A set of procedures for controlling cash disbursements.

Idioms

• No idiom commonly uses the word "voucher" as its core component. The word is typically used in its literal sense in financial, retail, and administrative contexts.

Noun

1. a negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed
2. a document that serves as evidence of some expenditure
3. someone who vouches for another or for the correctness of a statement