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

While the charges are narrower than the £145 million and £290 million write-downs booked in 2023 and 2022, respectively, investors are wondering when Quorn’s business will turnaround. —Ian Sayson, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

The charge follows $15 billion in write-downs last year by larger programmers Paramount Global and Warner Bros. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

So write down those names: Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Wikelman Gonzalez. —Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025

Seeking to finally close the lid on the coffin theory once and for all, everybody writes down her name, banishing her from the game. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for write-down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown

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