write-off

[rahyt-awf, -of]

noun

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.

write off

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of write off¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

No such announcements about a debt write-off have been made.

From BBC

In May, the retailer withdrew its full-year guidance and announced a $75-million write-off of spring and summer merchandise due to slow sales, steep discounting and difficult market conditions.

From Los Angeles Times

The hard work of hundreds of people, a mere tax write-off under the mighty pen of Warner Bros.

From Salon

E.On has also agreed to write-off debt held by almost 150,000 prepayment customers who cancelled their accounts over the same period.

From BBC

“We needs a tax code that honors the trades,” she said, allowing write-offs for the kinds of equipment used by loggers, plumbers and electricians.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cancel 
• give up 
• lower