write-off

[ rahyt-awf, -of ]

/ ˈraɪtˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR write-off ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a cancellation from the accounts as a loss.

an uncollectable account.

a reduction in book value; depreciation.

Informal. a person or thing that is given up as hopeless or pointless: Joe's college career is a write-off.

Origin of write-off

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

Words nearby write-off

write out, write up, write-down, write-in, write-in candidate, write-off, write-protect, write-up, writer, writer's block, writer's cramp

Definition for write off (2 of 2)

write

[ rahyt ]

/ raɪt /

verb (used with object), wrote or (Archaic) writ; writ·ten or (Archaic) writ; writ·ing.

to trace or form (characters, letters, words, etc.) on the surface of some material, as with a pen, pencil, or other instrument or means; inscribe: Write your name on the board.

to express or communicate in writing; give a written account of.

to fill in the blank spaces of (a printed form) with writing: to write a check.

to execute or produce by setting down words, figures, etc.: to write two copies of a letter.

to compose and produce in words or characters duly set down: to write a letter to a friend.

to produce as author or composer: to write a sonnet; to write a symphony.

to trace significant characters on, or mark or cover with writing.

to cause to be apparent or unmistakable: Honesty is written on his face.

Computers. to transfer (information, data, programs, etc.) from storage to secondary storage or an output medium.

Stock Exchange. to sell (options).

to underwrite.

verb (used without object), wrote or (Archaic) writ; writ·ten or (Archaic) writ; writ·ing.

to trace or form characters, words, etc., with a pen, pencil, or other instrument or means, or as a pen or the like does: He writes with a pen.

to write as a profession or occupation: She writes for the Daily Inquirer.

to express ideas in writing.

to write a letter or letters, or communicate by letter: Write if you get work.

to compose or work as a writer or author.

Computers. to write into a secondary storage device or output medium.

Verb Phrases

write down,

to set down in writing; record; note.
to direct one's writing to a less intelligent reader or audience: He writes down to the public.

write in,

to vote for (a candidate not listed on the ballot) by writing his or her name on the ballot.
to include in or add to a text by writing: Do not write in corrections on the galley.
to request something by mail: If interested, please write in for details.

write off,

to cancel an entry in an account, as an unpaid and uncollectable debt.
to regard as worthless, lost, obsolete, etc.; decide to forget: to write off their bad experience.
to amortize: The new equipment was written off in three years.

write out,

to put into writing.
to write in full form; state completely.
to exhaust the capacity or resources of by excessive writing: He's just another author who has written himself out.

write up,

to put into writing, especially in full detail: Write up a report.
to present to public notice in a written description or account.
Accounting. to make an excessive valuation of (an asset).

Origin of write

before 900; Middle English writen, Old English wrītan; cognate with Old Saxon wrītan to cut, write, German reissen to tear, draw, Old Norse rīta to score, write

SYNONYMS FOR write

6 compose, pen, author, draft, create.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR write ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM write

mis·write, verb (used with object), mis·wrote, mis·writ·ten, mis·writ·ing.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH write

right rite wright write

British Dictionary definitions for write off (1 of 2)

write off

verb (tr, adverb)

accounting

to cancel (a bad debt or obsolete asset) from the accounts
to consider (a transaction, etc) as a loss or set off (a loss) against revenues
to depreciate (an asset) by periodic charges
to charge (a specified amount) against gross profits as depreciation of an asset

to cause or acknowledge the complete loss of

to send a written order for (something) she wrote off for a brochure

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

noun write-off

accounting

the act of cancelling a bad debt or obsolete asset from the accounts
the bad debt or obsolete asset cancelled
the amount cancelled against gross profits, corresponding to the book value of the bad debt or obsolete asset

informal something damaged beyond repair, esp a car

British Dictionary definitions for write off (2 of 2)

write

/ (raɪt) /

verb writes, writing, wrote or written

to draw or mark (symbols, words, etc) on a surface, usually paper, with a pen, pencil, or other instrument

to describe or record (ideas, experiences, etc) in writing

to compose (a letter) to or correspond regularly with (a person, organization, etc)

(tr; may take a clause as object) to say or communicate by letter he wrote that he was on his way

(tr) informal, mainly US and Canadian to send a letter to (a person, etc)

to write (words) in cursive as opposed to printed style

(tr) to be sufficiently familiar with (a specified style, language, etc) to use it in writing

to be the author or composer of (books, music, etc)

(tr) to fill in the details for (a document, form, etc)

(tr) to draw up or draft

(tr) to produce by writing he wrote ten pages

(tr) to show clearly envy was written all over his face

(tr) to spell, inscribe, or entitle

(tr) to ordain or prophesy it is written

(tr) to sit (an examination)

(intr) to produce writing as specified

computing to record (data) in a location in a storage device Compare read 1 (def. 16)

(tr) Compare underwrite (def. 3a)

See also write down, write in, write off, write out, write up

Derived forms of write

writable, adjective

Word Origin for write

Old English wrītan (originally: to scratch runes into bark); related to Old Frisian wrīta, Old Norse rīta, Old High German rīzan (German reissen to tear)

Idioms and Phrases with write off (1 of 2)

write off

Reduce an asset's book value to zero because it is worthless, as in The truck was wrecked completely, so we can write it off. [Late 1600s]

Cancel from an account as a loss, as in Since they'll never be able to pay back what they owe, let's just write off that debt. [Late 1800s] Also see charge off, def. 2.

Regard as a failure or worthless, as in There was nothing to do but write off the first day of our trip because of the bad weather, or She resented their tendency to write her off as a mere housewife. [Late 1800s]

Amortize, as in We can write off the new computer network in two years or less. Also see charge off, def. 2.

Idioms and Phrases with write off (2 of 2)

write

In addition to the idioms beginning with write

write down
write in
write off
write one's own ticket
write out
write up

also see:

nothing to write home about

Also see underwrote.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

write-off

noun

Origin of write-off

Words nearby write-off

Definition for write off (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), wrote or (Archaic) writ; writ·ten or (Archaic) writ; writ·ing.

verb (used without object), wrote or (Archaic) writ; writ·ten or (Archaic) writ; writ·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of write

SYNONYMS FOR write

OTHER WORDS FROM write

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH write

British Dictionary definitions for write off (1 of 2)

verb (tr, adverb)

noun write-off

British Dictionary definitions for write off (2 of 2)

verb writes, writing, wrote or written

Derived forms of write

Word Origin for write

Idioms and Phrases with write off (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with write off (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

write-off

noun

Origin of write-off

Words nearby write-off

Definition for write off (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), wrote or (Archaic) writ; writ·ten or (Archaic) writ; writ·ing.

verb (used without object), wrote or (Archaic) writ; writ·ten or (Archaic) writ; writ·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of write

SYNONYMS FOR write

OTHER WORDS FROM write

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH write

Words related to write off

British Dictionary definitions for write off (1 of 2)

verb (tr, adverb)

noun write-off

British Dictionary definitions for write off (2 of 2)

verb writes, writing, wrote or written

Derived forms of write

Word Origin for write

Idioms and Phrases with write off (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with write off (2 of 2)