write-down

1 of 2

noun

ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n 

: a deliberate reduction in the book value of an asset (as to reflect the effect of obsolescence)

write down

2 of 2

verb

wrote down; written down; writing down; writes down

transitive verb

1

: to record in written form

2

a

: to depreciate, disparage, or injure by writing

b

: to reduce in status, rank, or value

especially : to reduce the book value of

intransitive verb

: to write so as to appeal to a lower level of taste, comprehension, or intelligence

Synonyms

Verb

• attenuate
• break
• cheapen
• depreciate
• depress
• devaluate
• devalue
• downgrade
• lower
• mark down
• reduce
• sink
• write off

Examples of write-down in a Sentence

Verb

a company forced to write down its assets

write down what you remember about that day

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The decrease in cost is linked to lower inventory write-downs. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

In August, Warner Bros. Discovery booked a $9.1 billion write-down of its TV networks, triggered by the reevaluation of the book value of the segment. —Lillian Rizzo,alex Sherman, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Discovery took massive, multi-billion dollar hits this summer to write down the value of their cable assets. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024

Bowery hasn't had VC firm reps on its board for at least the last couple months, while Fidelity recently wrote down its investment value by more than 99%. —Dan Primack, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Legal Definition

write down

transitive verb

wrote down; written down; writing down

: to reduce the book value of (an asset)

write down accounts receivable

write-down

ˈrīt-ˌdau̇n 

noun