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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

Sami’s case was the first time the court ruled on when social-media influencers could take the write-off, according to Copeland.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 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

UPS later said it would retire its MD-11 fleet and took a $137 million write-off.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

But Wiegman says England cannot write-off opponents Ukraine and Iceland.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026

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

From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson

The first days of the holiday "have been a complete write off", she added.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

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

When “Legally Blonde” first came out, I was ready to write off Elle Woods for similar reasons many first- and second-wave feminists dismissed Marilyn Monroe.

From Salon ● Jul. 6, 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

It amazed Justin how easily they would write off a twelve-year-old.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

You’re splitting custody of a plane and you’re guaranteed a certain amount of time on that plane; as a co-owner, there are additional benefits that can include tax write-offs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

The organisation has drawn up a blueprint for manufacturers, with a list of recommendations to keep repairs as simple and affordable as possible and to avoid unnecessary write-offs.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

Congress should make write-offs for investments in structures permanent, too.

From Barron's ● Apr. 17, 2026

As for external debt, the burden was sharply reduced by reschedulings and write-offs of both private and official debt during 1991-94.

From The 1996 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Related Words

• cancel
• give up
• lower