write-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌȯf 

1

: an elimination of an item from the books of account

2

a

: a reduction in book value of an item (as by way of depreciation)

b

: a tax deduction of an amount of depreciation, expense, or loss

3

chiefly British : something (such as a damaged vehicle) or someone regarded or conceded as a loss

write off

2 of 2

verb

wrote off; written off; writing off; writes off

transitive verb

1

: to eliminate (an asset) from the books : enter as a loss or expense

write off a bad loan

2

: to regard or concede to be lost

most were content to write off 1979 and look optimistically ahead

—Money

also : dismiss

was written off as an expatriate highbrow

—Brendan Gill

Synonyms

Verb

• dismiss
• minimize
• diminish
• dump on
• run down
• play down
• talk down

Examples of write-off in a Sentence

Verb

most critics have already written off that director as a hack incapable of turning out anything but schlock

that one blunder will write off to nothing all the goodwill we've been building up

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With that insurance, you'll reportedly be covered for theft of the whole bike, theft of components and the cost of a total write-off. —New Atlas, 5 July 2025

This approach reduces unnecessary write-offs and recovers reimbursement for care that may become covered in the future. —David Chou, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

Verb

Some write off his impressive numbers as stat padding. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025

Insurance companies can completely write off vehicles with water damage due to mechanical complications. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for write-off

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff

Kids Definition

write off

verb

1

: to take off the books : enter as a loss or expense

write off a bad debt

2

: to consider to be lost

the candidate has already written off some states

also : dismiss sense 3

wrote off my losing as bad luck

Legal Definition

write-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈrīt-ˌȯf

1

: the elimination of an asset or amount due from the books

2

: tax write-off

write off

2 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to eliminate (an asset) from the books : enter as a loss or expense

write off a bad loan

2

: to use as a deduction in calculating taxable income

write off the cost as a business expense