write-down

American  

[rahyt-doun] / ˈraɪtˌdaʊn /

noun

Accounting.

1. a reduction of the entered value of an asset account.

2. the procedure of reducing the recorded value of an asset, either by estimate or as a plan.

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write down British  

verb

1. (tr) to set down in writing

2. (tr) to harm or belittle by writing about (a person) in derogatory terms

3. (intr; foll by to or for) to write in a simplified way (to a supposedly less cultured readership)

4. (tr) accounting to decrease the book value of (an asset)

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noun

1. accounting a reduction made in the book value of an asset

write down Idioms  

1. Set down in writing, record, as in Please write down your new address and phone number . [Late 1500s]

2. Reduce in rank, value, or price, as in They've written down their assets . [Late 1800s]

3. Write in a simple or condescending style, as in These science texts are written down for high-school students . [Second half of 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of write-down

First recorded in 1930–35; noun use of verb phrase write down

Example Sentences

And private funds have taken some significant write-downs on pieces of their portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal

Multibillion dollar write-downs followed and the company has since been working to regain investor confidence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bloomberg first reported the write-down, which came just three months after the loan had been valued at par, on Thursday.

From Barron's

Somewhat confusingly Berkshire didn’t call out the $1.6 billion goodwill write-down related to certain units in its earnings release Saturday.

From Barron's

Berkshire said the food company’s difficulties with inflation and changing consumer tastes, and its exploration of strategic moves, led to the write-down.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• address
• compose
• create
• draft
• note
• pen
• print
• record
• rewrite
• scrawl
• scribble
• sign
• tell