To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ ˈrīt-ˌȯf 
\
\Definition of write-off
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : an elimination of an item from the books of account
2a : 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
verbwrote off; written off; writing off; writes off
Definition of write off (Entry 2 of 2)
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
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms & Antonyms for write-off
Synonyms: Verb
- bad-mouth,
- belittle,
- cry down,
- decry,
- denigrate,
- deprecate,
- depreciate,
- derogate,
- diminish,
- dis
- (also diss)
- [slang],
- discount,
- dismiss,
- disparage,
- kiss off,
- minimize,
- play down,
- poor-mouth,
- put down,
- run down,
- talk down,
- trash,
- trash-talk,
- vilipend
Antonyms: Verb
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on write-off
What made you want to look up write-off? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Homophone Quiz
- In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a
______.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share write-off
Time Traveler for write-off
The first known use of write-off was in 1678
See more words from the same year