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 of write-down

Verb

• reduce
• mark down
• 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

Many more schools are being forced into similar write-downs as enrollment plummets. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 20 June 2026

The gross margin decline included inventory write-downs relating to the transition of James Allen, which has become a proprietary brand within the Blue Nile website. — David Moin, Footwear News, 2 June 2026

Verb

That’s enough to call it preexisting, whether or not it was written down anywhere. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Once in a while this person writes down seven lines only to cross out one of them fifteen minutes later, and then another hour passes. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

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