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• write-off
  write-off

  noun

  a cancellation from the accounts as a loss.
• write off
  write off

  verb

  accounting

write-off

American  

[rahyt-awf, -of] / ˈraɪtˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

write-offs plural

1. a cancellation from the accounts as a loss.

2. an uncollectable account.

3. a reduction in book value; depreciation.

4. Informal. a person or thing that is given up as hopeless or pointless.

   Joe's college career is a write-off.

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write off British  

verb

1. accounting

   1. to cancel (a bad debt or obsolete asset) from the accounts

   2. to consider (a transaction, etc) as a loss or set off (a loss) against revenues

   3. to depreciate (an asset) by periodic charges

   4. to charge (a specified amount) against gross profits as depreciation of an asset

2. to cause or acknowledge the complete loss of

3. to send a written order for (something)

   she wrote off for a brochure

4. informal to damage (something, esp a car) beyond repair

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noun

1. accounting

   1. the act of cancelling a bad debt or obsolete asset from the accounts

   2. the bad debt or obsolete asset cancelled

   3. the amount cancelled against gross profits, corresponding to the book value of the bad debt or obsolete asset

2. informal something damaged beyond repair, esp a car

write off Idioms  

1. Reduce an asset's book value to zero because it is worthless, as in The truck was wrecked completely, so we can write it off . [Late 1600s]

2. Cancel from an account as a loss, as in Since they'll never be able to pay back what they owe, let's just write off that debt . [Late 1800s] Also see charge off , def. 2.

3. Regard as a failure or worthless, as in There was nothing to do but write off the first day of our trip because of the bad weather , or She resented their tendency to write her off as a mere housewife . [Late 1800s]

4. Amortize, as in We can write off the new computer network in two years or less . Also see charge off , def. 2.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• write-offs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of write-off

First recorded in 1745–55; noun use of verb phrase write off

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

write-off write off write-offs

Fun fact: Distributor Ketchup Entertainment acquired the movie for release after Warner Bros. shelved it for a tax write-off.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

Likewise, Andy’s story starts when a magnate shutters her current job at a newspaper called the New York Vanguard, firing her and her colleagues for a $500-million tax write-off.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026

The raw potato write-off, rising factory costs, and inflationary pressures contributed to a higher manufacturing cost per pound.

From Barron's ● Apr. 1, 2026

The collector said more valuable items were in protective acrylic cases but some sustained more damage than others - with about 75% of the stolen goods now a "write-off".

From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026

“I’m sure this was just some big tax write-off to him.”

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson

Apollo chief economist Torsten Sløk flags this chart that shows how investors shouldn’t write off all software as vulnerable to AI disruption.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026

When “Legally Blonde” first came out, I was ready to write off Elle Woods for similar reasons many first- and second-wave feminists dismissed Marilyn Monroe.

From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026

GM has also been forced to write off billions in EV investments because U.S. demand for all-electric cars simply didn’t materialize as expected.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Proponents of public ownership say it would give Thames Water a fresh start, allowing it to write off some of its debts and get a new long-term owner.

From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026

Also, she couldn’t forget how he had been ready to write off her brother, Nico, when they’d learned he was a captive in Rome.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

GM faces challenges from reduced new car demand, EV investment write-offs, and tariffs, with 2025 operating profit at $12.7 billion.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Adjusted earnings per share, which excludes nonrecurring items, such as asset write-offs and restructuring costs, of $2.38 topped the average analyst estimate compiled by FactSet of $2.20.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 27, 2026

Late last year, GM began announcing write-offs related to its pivot away from EVs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026

Impact on Urban Health said that more than half of the participants had reported improvements in their health after receiving tailored support, such as help to secure benefits, obtain debt write-offs or negotiate with creditors.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2025

As for external debt, the burden was sharply reduced by reschedulings and write-offs of both private and official debt during 1991-94.

From The 1996 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Related Words

• cancel
• give up
• lower