write-off

[ rahyt-awf, -of ]

noun

1. a cancellation from the accounts as a loss.
2. an uncollectable account.
3. a reduction in book value; depreciation.
4. Informal. a person or thing that is given up as hopeless or pointless:

   Joe's college career is a write-off.

write off

verb

1. accounting
   1. to cancel (a bad debt or obsolete asset) from the accounts
   2. to consider (a transaction, etc) as a loss or set off (a loss) against revenues
   3. to depreciate (an asset) by periodic charges
   4. to charge (a specified amount) against gross profits as depreciation of an asset
2. to cause or acknowledge the complete loss of
3. to send a written order for (something)

   she wrote off for a brochure

4. informal.
   to damage (something, esp a car) beyond repair

noun

1. accounting
   1. the act of cancelling a bad debt or obsolete asset from the accounts
   2. the bad debt or obsolete asset cancelled
   3. the amount cancelled against gross profits, corresponding to the book value of the bad debt or obsolete asset
2. informal.
   something damaged beyond repair, esp a car

Word History and Origins

Origin of write-off¹

First recorded in 1745–55; noun use of verb phrase write off

Example Sentences

“We needs a tax code that honors the trades,” she said, allowing write-offs for the kinds of equipment used by loggers, plumbers and electricians.

From Los Angeles Times

The family's car, which Aneeqa said is now a "write-off", was then targeted, with people jumping on the windscreen and roof.

From BBC

She told the Today programme that they had tried to break into her house and destroyed the family car, which "had to be a write-off".

From BBC

The first write-off came on Mr. Trump’s tax return for 2008.

From New York Times

ProPublica’s 2021 article traced how owners, starting with the late baseball showman Bill Veeck decades ago, persuaded the IRS to accept a “gimmick” that allows owners to take massive depreciation write-offs.

From Salon

Related Words

• cancel
• give up
• lower