Billet — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈbi-lət/ bil·let

Meaning & Definition of Billet

Billet (noun)

  1. a brief letter, note
  2. an official order directing that a member of a military force be provided with board and lodging (as in a private home)
  3. quarters assigned by or as if by a billet
  4. a chunky piece of wood (as for firewood)
  5. cudgel
  6. a bar of metal

Billet (verb)

  1. to assign lodging to (someone, such as a soldier) by or as if by a billet
  2. to serve with a billet

Billet (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide

    "a stack of gold billets in the vault"

    similar: bar, rod
    related: arbor, beam, board, crossbar, crossbeam, girder, band, strip, bloom, ingot, slab, stick

  2. an assignment at which one regularly works for pay

    "found a billet at one of the leading brokerage houses in New York"

    similar: appointment, berth, capacity, connection, function, job, place, position, post, situation
    related: business, employ, employment, occupation, profession, work, office, spot, calling, pursuit, trade, vocation, line, racket, engagement, gig, livelihood, living, career, lifework, practice, duty, mission, posting, service, task
    near: avocation, joblessness, unemployment

Billet (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to provide with living quarters or shelter

    "every colonial household was expected to billet a British soldier"

    similar: accommodate, bestow, bivouac, board, bunk, camp, chamber, domicile, encamp, harbor, house, lodge, put up, quarter, roof, room, shelter, take in
    related: ensconce, home, roost, secure, shed, stable, tent, barrack, bed (down)
    near: eject, evict

Related Entry: Billet-doux (noun)

Billet-doux is a different word from Billet. The synonyms below are for billet-doux, not for billet.

  1. as in open letter

    similar: open letter, dispatch, epistle, letter, memo, memorandum, missive, note, airmail, card, electronic mail, e-mail, junk mail, mail, postal card, postcard, communication, report, encyclical

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Billet

The most common words with a similar meaning to Billet:

bar, rod, appointment, berth, capacity, connection, function, job, place, position, post, situation, accommodate, bestow, bivouac, board, bunk, camp, chamber, domicile, encamp, harbor, house, lodge, put up, quarter, roof, room, shelter, take in

Related Words for Billet

arbor, beam, crossbar, crossbeam, girder, band, strip, bloom, ingot, slab, stick, business, employ, employment, occupation, profession, work, office, spot, calling, pursuit, trade, vocation, line, racket, engagement, gig, livelihood, living, career

Near Antonyms of Billet

avocation, joblessness, unemployment, eject, evict

Word Forms of Billet

Inflections: billeted, billeting, billets

Origin & Etymology of Billet

Middle English bylet, from Anglo-French billette, diminutive of bille bill

First known use: 1579

Words & Phrases Containing Billet

billet-doux

Frequently Asked Questions about Billet

What does "Billet" mean?

"Billet" means a brief letter, note. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a brief letter, note. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Billet"?

Other words for "Billet" include bar, rod, appointment, berth, capacity, connection, function and job. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Billet" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Billet"?

There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Billet". Common alternatives include bar, rod, appointment, berth, capacity, connection, function, job, place and position.

How do you use "Billet" in a sentence?

Examples of "Billet" in a sentence: "a stack of gold billets in the vault"; "found a billet at one of the leading brokerage houses in New York"; "every colonial household was expected to billet a British soldier".

Is "Billet" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Billet" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Billet"?

"Billet" is pronounced /ˈbi-lət/ and divided into syllables as bil·let.

What is the origin of the word "Billet"?

"Billet" comes from Middle English bylet, from Anglo-French billette, diminutive of bille bill. First known use: 1579.

What is another word for "Billet" meaning "a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide"?

When "Billet" (noun) means a straight piece (as of wood or metal) that is longer than it is wide, synonyms include bar and rod.