deductible

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

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

deductibility

3 of 3

noun (2)

de·​duct·​ibil·​i·​ty də̇ˌdəktəˈbilətē 

(ˌ)dē-, 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the state or quality of being deductible

Examples of deductible in a Sentence

Adjective

The trip was deductible as a business expense.

Noun (1)

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

When someone makes a charitable payment and receives goods or services in return, the deductible portion is generally limited to the amount exceeding the value of the benefit received. — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

An adjuster estimated the storm caused more than $50,000 in damage and indicated her policy would cover the cost after the deductible, Lee said. — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Noun

Beyond the premium, plans can include deductibles, copays, coinsurance, other out-of-pocket costs, network restrictions, and drug formularies that can affect the household’s ultimate care costs. — Karen Koehler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

Contributions to a traditional IRA can be claimed as a deductible on a federal income tax return if the account holder is not covered by a retirement plan at work. — Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1856, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

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