write-up

American  

[rahyt-uhp] / ˈraɪtˌʌp /

noun

1. a written description or account, as in a newspaper or magazine.

   The play got a terrible write-up.

2. Accounting. an increase in the book value of a corporation that is not warranted by the true assets of the corporation.

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write up British  

verb

1. to describe fully, complete, or bring up to date in writing

   write up a diary

2. to praise or bring to public notice in writing

3. accounting

   1. to place an excessively high value on (an asset)

   2. to increase the book value of (an asset) in order to reflect more accurately its current worth in the market

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noun

1. a published account of something, such as a review in a newspaper or magazine

2. accounting

   1. an excessive or illegally high valuation of corporate assets

   2. a raising of the book value of an asset

write up Idioms  

1. Write a report or description, as for publication, as in She's been writing up these local concerts for years . [Early 1400s]

2. Overvalue an asset, as in That accountant is always writing up our equipment, forgetting depreciation .

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Etymology

Origin of write-up

1880–85, noun use of verb phrase write up

Example Sentences

Radio Times reviewer Alex Raisbeck, who gave the game four stars, summed up the diversity of opinions in his write-up.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

When a promotion is at stake, a professor is often inclined to soften his marks for fear of a bad write-up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

In her most recent equity-income strategy write-up, Harrington noted that she expects Kimberly-Clark’s recent focus on streamlining to boost the company’s margins and support low- to mid-single-digit dividend growth.

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

And after such a successful opening weekend, it’s no major surprise that the excerpt from the Variety write-up was received like a buzzkill showing up to a rager-in-progress.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2025

“Did I make it? Did my write-up get in the paper?”

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles