a reduction of the entered value of an asset account.
the procedure of reducing the recorded value of an asset, either by estimate or as a plan.
(tr) to set down in writing
(tr) to harm or belittle by writing about (a person) in derogatory terms
(intr; foll by to or for) to write in a simplified way (to a supposedly less cultured readership)
(tr) accounting to decrease the book value of (an asset)
Set down in writing, record, as in Please write down your new address and phone number . [Late 1500s]
Reduce in rank, value, or price, as in They've written down their assets . [Late 1800s]
Write in a simple or condescending style, as in These science texts are written down for high-school students . [Second half of 1800s]
First recorded in 1930–35; noun use of verb phrase write down
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ford last year announced a massive $19.5 billion write-down primarily tied to its struggling EV unit; GM has written down about $11 billion, including $2.3 billion announced for the latest quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
A $1.3 billion portfolio write-down resulted from borrower struggles and underperforming 2021 second lien and junior debt deals.
From Barron's ● May 11, 2026
Buying at a discount could force a write-down of the existing book, while buying near par validates it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026
In a 2019 trial, HPE had accused Lynch of inflating Autonomy's revenues which it said forced it to announce an $8.8bn write-down of the company's worth.
From BBC ● Mar. 25, 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
Müller has people write down family histories with money.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
The only thing you’re able to write down is monetary.
From Slate ● May 19, 2026
He told conference call listeners that a third of the $1.3 billion portfolio write down came from loans to the companies Medallia, Cubic Corp., and Affordable Care.
From Barron's ● May 11, 2026
For 55 years, the family behind Tapatío has refused to even write down the recipe for Los Angeles’ iconic hot sauce, passing its secret formula for success only from lip to ear in closed rooms.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 12, 2026
Now write down the sounds and describe them.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
