uncollectible

American  

[uhn-kuh-lek-tuh-buhl] / ˌʌn kəˈlɛk tə bəl /

Or uncollectable

adjective

1. that cannot be collected.

   an uncollectible debt.

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noun

1. something, as a financial obligation, that cannot be collected.

   an increase in the company's uncollectibles.

Etymology

Origin of uncollectible

un- ¹ + collect ¹ + -ible

Example Sentences

Paul was then surprised by Scaramucci, who told him about his plan for "collecting the uncollectible".

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

The company’s net charge-offs, which refer to the loans the bank has written off as uncollectible, increased 16% from the previous year to $185 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

The hospital recorded another $109 million in uncollectible debts not considered indigent care, the document shows.

From Washington Post • Sep. 9, 2019

Industry-wide, banks classified $1.1 billion worth of auto loans as uncollectible in the fourth quarter, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

From Reuters • Mar. 3, 2016

What school-tax must be assessed, the cost of collecting being 2 per cent., and 6 per cent of the assessed tax being uncollectible?

From Civil Government in the United States Considered with Some Reference to Its Origins by Fiske, John