write-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌȯf 

1

: an elimination of an item from the books of account

2

a

: a reduction in book value of an item (as by way of depreciation)

b

: a tax deduction of an amount of depreciation, expense, or loss

3

chiefly British : something (such as a damaged vehicle) or someone regarded or conceded as a loss

write off

2 of 2

verb

wrote off; written off; writing off; writes off

transitive verb

1

: to eliminate (an asset) from the books : enter as a loss or expense

write off a bad loan

2

: to regard or concede to be lost

most were content to write off 1979 and look optimistically ahead

—Money

also : dismiss

was written off as an expatriate highbrow

—Brendan Gill

Synonyms

Verb

• bad-mouth
• belittle
• cry down
• decry
• denigrate
• deprecate
• depreciate
• derogate
• diminish
• dis [slang]
• diss
• discount
• dismiss
• disparage
• kiss off
• minimize
• play down
• poor-mouth
• put down
• run down
• talk down
• trash
• trash-talk
• vilipend

Examples of write-off in a Sentence

Verb

most critics have already written off that director as a hack incapable of turning out anything but schlock

that one blunder will write off to nothing all the goodwill we've been building up

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The increase is primarily attributed to the absence of a write-off of certain interest income related to a restructuring amounting to approximately $676,000 during the previous year's quarter. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

That's due to Trump's Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, which greatly expanded the standard deduction starting in 2018, which in turn limited write-offs for millions of low- and middle-income Americans. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2024

Verb

While national polls continue to forecast a race far too close to predict, Harris was found to be leading Trump in Iowa, an unexpected reversal for Democrats and Republicans who have all but written off the state’s presidential contest as a certain Trump victory. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

The Slough House spies are too prickly and vulnerable to be written off so easily. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

write off

verb

1

: to take off the books : enter as a loss or expense

write off a bad debt

2

: to consider to be lost

the candidate has already written off some states

also : dismiss sense 3

wrote off my losing as bad luck

Legal Definition

write-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈrīt-ˌȯf

1

: the elimination of an asset or amount due from the books

2

: tax write-off

write off

2 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to eliminate (an asset) from the books : enter as a loss or expense

write off a bad loan

2

: to use as a deduction in calculating taxable income

write off the cost as a business expense