deductible

1 of 2

adjective

de·​duct·​ible di-ˈdək-tə-bəl 

dē-

: allowable as a deduction

expenses that are deductible from taxable income

deductibility

di-ˌdək-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

dē-;

noun

deductible

2 of 2

noun

plural deductibles

: the amount of financial loss specified in an insurance policy that the insurer will not be held responsible for and that the insurance holder must pay

The deductible on your insurance is the amount of money on an insurance claim you would pay before the insurance company pays. It's what you'll be paying out of pocket prior to the insurance coverage.

—Steve Fiorillo

also : a clause in an insurance policy that relieves the insurer of responsibility for an initial specified loss of the kind insured against

Examples of deductible in a Sentence

Adjective

The trip was deductible as a business expense.

Noun

I have an insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As Americans’ dissatisfaction with health insurance grows and high-deductible plans become more prevalent, patients are increasingly seeking affordable cash-pay options, creating an opportunity for biosimilars. —Ge Bai, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Plus, mortgage interest may be deductible, depending on the home's purpose. —Steve Hruby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2025

Noun

Deductible $1,000 for any repairs made during the first three months, then a deductible of $0 to $250 for most parts and $250 to $500 for engine or transmission replacement. —Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025

Flood insurance is often sold separately, hurricane deductibles can be five times higher than on standard policies, and wildfire coverage is often limited or unaffordable. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing deductible

• tax-deductible

Rhymes for deductible

• indestructible
• ineluctable
• nondeductible

Legal Definition

deductible

1 of 2 adjective

de·​duc·​ti·​ble di-ˈdək-tə-bəl 

: allowable as a deduction

deductibility

-ˌdək-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

deductible

2 of 2 noun

: a clause in an insurance policy that relieves the insurer of responsibility for an initial specified loss of the kind insured against

also : the amount specified in such a clause compare franchise sense 4a