write-down

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n 

: a deliberate reduction in the book value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of obsolescence)

write down

2 of 2

verb

wrote down; written down; writing down; writes down

transitive verb

1

: to record in written form

2

a

: to depreciate, disparage, or injure by writing

b

: to reduce in status, rank, or value

especially : to reduce the book value of

intransitive verb

: to write so as to appeal to a lower level of taste, comprehension, or intelligence

Synonyms

Verb

• attenuate
• break
• cheapen
• depreciate
• depress
• devaluate
• devalue
• downgrade
• lower
• mark down
• reduce
• sink
• write off

Examples of write-down in a Sentence

Verb

a company forced to write down its assets

write down what you remember about that day

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that company executives should have recognized that the loss of the NBA rights would prompt a reevaluation of its business prospects and spur goodwill write-downs. —Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024

The auditor is supposed to enforce the goodwill write-down, assuming the auditor has reason to believe that the acquisition is not working as intended. —Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Verb

The idea is to write down on a slip of paper the happiest moment of the day and drop it in a jar. —David G. Allan, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024

Before starting any project, writing down my goals and objectives for the team clarifies my direction and expectations of them. —David Nour, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Legal Definition

write down

transitive verb

wrote down; written down; writing down

: to reduce the book value of (an asset)

write down accounts receivable

write-down

ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n 

noun