charge-off

American  

[chahrj-awf, -of] / ˈtʃɑrdʒˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

Or chargeoff

noun

1. a write-off, especially of a bad loan by a bank.

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charge off Idioms  

1. Hurriedly depart, run away, as in After a few minutes, she charged off to the next exhibit . This term alludes to the military meaning of charge , “attack impetuously.” [Early 1500s]

2. Also, charge against . Consider or count as an accounting loss or expense, as in I'm charging off this purchase to overhead , or Let's charge the new computer against office supplies . [Late 1800s] Also see write off .

3. Attribute to, blame something for, as in We can charge off these errors to inexperience .

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Etymology

Origin of charge-off

charge + (write)-off ( def. )

Example Sentences

To put the charge-off figures in perspective, the bank’s loan-loss reserves covered 1.09% of total loans and leases as of March 31.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Western Alliance said Friday it recorded a charge-off for the full remaining balance of the loan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

It forecast net interest income of $103 billion and adjusted expenses of $105 billion for 2026, and a net charge-off rate of 3.4% in credit cards.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 13, 2026

The charge-off ratio, another key measure of credit quality, rose to 1.09% from 0.48% a year earlier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

The upgrade came after Zions took a $50 million charge-off in its third quarter due to legal actions against parties affiliated with two of its borrowers.

From Barron's • Oct. 17, 2025