write-off

[ rahyt-awf, -of ]

/ ˈraɪtˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

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See synonyms for write-off on Thesaurus.com

noun

a cancellation from the accounts as a loss.

an uncollectable account.

a reduction in book value; depreciation.

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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Origin of write-off

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

Words nearby write-off

writable, write, write-down, write-in, write-in candidate, write-off, write one's own ticket, write out, write-protect, writer, writerly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use write-off in a sentence

Although the blood-spattered offices will be off-limits, staff have vowed to continue producing the magazine.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A passing off-duty school safety officer named Fred Lucas said that he had been told the man was a drug dealer.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At some point during his busy schedule, Israel found the time to write a book, titled The Global War on Morris.
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My publisher had asked, “If you wanted to write another book, what would you want to write about?”
Patton Oswalt on Fighting Conservatives With Satire|William O’Connor|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

You write a lot about how you were a jerk or a snob when it came to comedy or film.
Patton Oswalt on Fighting Conservatives With Satire|William O’Connor|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Now first we shall want our pupil to understand, speak, read and write the mother tongue well.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
I've never had time to write home about it, for I felt that it required a dissertation in itself to do it justice.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
A far-off volley rumbled over the plain, and a few birds stirred uneasily among the trees.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
The other is the new theory: that the Bible is the work of many men whom God had inspired to speak or write the truth.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Whatever you do, don't write a word to that Carr friend of yours; he's as sharp as a two-edged sword.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for write-off

write off

verb (tr, adverb)

accounting

to cancel (a bad debt or obsolete asset) from the accounts
to consider (a transaction, etc) as a loss or set off (a loss) against revenues
to depreciate (an asset) by periodic charges
to charge (a specified amount) against gross profits as depreciation of an asset

to cause or acknowledge the complete loss of

to send a written order for (something)she wrote off for a brochure

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

noun write-off

accounting

the act of cancelling a bad debt or obsolete asset from the accounts
the bad debt or obsolete asset cancelled
the amount cancelled against gross profits, corresponding to the book value of the bad debt or obsolete asset

informal something damaged beyond repair, esp a car

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with write-off

write off

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]

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.

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]

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