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

That made for a low annualized net charge-off ratio of 0.09% of average commercial and industrial loans, up from 0.08% the previous quarter and 0.06% during the year-earlier quarter.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Zions Bancorp reported a $50 million charge-off Wednesday to cover two loans taken out by borrowers facing legal actions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

Chief Executive Harris Simmons said Monday that results were “marred” by a $50 million charge-off that the company disclosed last week to cover two loans taken out by borrowers facing fraud allegations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

Zions Bancorp incurred a $50 million charge-off in the third quarter due to legal actions against two borrowers.

From Barron's • Oct. 17, 2025

To be sure, that third-quarter total was well above the year-ago net charge-off ratio of 0.48%.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 17, 2025