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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

Unfortunately, your guests get the write-off, however, not you.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 11, 2026

These come from impairment and write-off losses on assets that were intended to be used for the production of these vehicles, the firm added.

From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026

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

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson

SpaceX is nearly trading back at its initial-public-offering price as recent selling has taken a toll — but experts say not to write off the company just yet.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

The “Little House” devotees who prefer to write off the books’ dips into racism by accepting them as a reflection of a time in America may also have been influenced by the TV show’s filter.

From Salon ● Jul. 11, 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

Maybe we’ll all soon be able to write off our actions up to yesterday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026

Sometimes kids just have to write off lost articles of clothing at the end of a party.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

Can I get tax write-offs for my time and costs?

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

First, the law allowed companies to claim immediate deductions for certain capital investments rather than spreading those write-offs over several years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 6, 2026

GM recently took $1.6 billion in write-offs, reflecting expectations of lower demand and profitability for its EV business.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2025

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

Russia has spent the last two years negotiating generous package deals - rescheduling, write-offs, grace periods measured in years - with its most obtuse debtors.

From Russian Roulette: Russia's Economy in Putin's Era by Vaknin, Samuel

Related Words

• cancel
• give up
• lower