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

Shelving the movie put noses out of joint at the time with talks of a potential tax write-down. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 8 May 2025

In early 2022, Teladoc took a write-down of about $6.6 billion tied to the Livongo deal. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025

Verb

And don't forget to write down some emergency numbers. —Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2025

Second: Pick up a piece of paper and write down the five people outside your immediate family that have been the most influential people in your life. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for write-down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown

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