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• write-down
  write-down

  noun

  a reduction of the entered value of an asset account.
• write down
  write down

  verb

  (tr) to set down in writing

write-down

American  

[rahyt-daun] / 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

See Examples For:

write-down write down

Finally, after two years in limbo and a tax write-down check successfully cleared, Warner Bros. offloaded the film to Ketchup Entertainment at a discount in early 2025.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026

Defaults by software maker Medallia and dental-service company Affordable Care contributed to a $560 million write-down for the KKR business-development company FS KKR Capital, equivalent to 10% of the fund’s net asset value.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

The company said the higher forecast capital intensity is likely to result in a roughly $2.3 billion write-down on the asset.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

KKR’s biggest private-credit fund took what amounts to a 10% write-down of its net asset value.

From Barron's ● May 15, 2026

All through 2008, she followed the bankers’ and brokers’ claims that they had put their problems behind them with this write-down or that capital raise with her own claim: You’re wrong.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

What Goldie suggests instead is to write down a set of intentions in your retirement policy.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

"This has convinced me to write down my own thoughts and memories, once and for all," he said, adding many opinions were "based on untruths that have become accepted over time".

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

Nasir says he wished he was more prepared for clearing, and advises students to write down some notes on location, accommodation and cost for each university you contact.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

I roll over and write down my dreams.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

But suppose I were to ask you to take a pen and paper and write down in as much detail as you can what your person looks like.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

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