red ink

noun

1
: a business loss : deficit
2
: the condition of showing a business loss

Examples of red ink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That would surely lead to even more red ink to sop up next year. George Skelton, The Mercury News, 11 June 2024 Our panel’s report showed that fare and toll evasion is a huge threat to the stability of our transit system: $700 million of red ink a year, and growing. Roger Maldonado, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2024 And when an approaching global recession had analysts in May 2008 projecting red ink for the budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year, legislators opted to do nothing rather than make spending cuts or tax increases. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2024 The Lucid Group job cuts are occurring at a time when the electric vehicle maker is racking up billions of dollars in annual losses — although the company’s sales are rising and the red ink appears to be shrinking. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 30 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for red ink 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'red ink.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the use of red ink in financial statements to indicate a loss

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of red ink was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near red ink

Cite this Entry

“Red ink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20ink. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

red ink

noun
1
: a business loss
2
: the condition of showing a business loss
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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