write-off

1 of 2

noun

1
: an elimination of an item from the books of account
2
a
: a reduction in book value of an item (as by way of depreciation)
b
: a tax deduction of an amount of depreciation, expense, or loss
3
chiefly British : something (such as a damaged vehicle) or someone regarded or conceded as a loss

write off

2 of 2

verb

wrote off; written off; writing off; writes off

transitive verb

1
: to eliminate (an asset) from the books : enter as a loss or expense
write off a bad loan
2
: to regard or concede to be lost
most were content to write off 1979 and look optimistically aheadMoney
also : dismiss
was written off as an expatriate highbrow Brendan Gill

Examples of write-off in a Sentence

Verb most critics have already written off that director as a hack incapable of turning out anything but schlock that one blunder will write off to nothing all the goodwill we've been building up
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
That's due to Trump's Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, which greatly expanded the standard deduction starting in 2018, which in turn limited write-offs for millions of low- and middle-income Americans. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2024 Adjusted operating income growth, which also excludes the write-off, is expected to grow between 8% and 9%. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
Without action from Congress, the TCJA will expire at the end of 2025 and borrowers will be able to write off either loan no matter how the money is spent. Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024 Both individuals and corporations would have been able to write off up to $1 million on their state income taxes, and the program could have cost the state up to $25 million in its first year of implementation. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for write-off 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of write-off was in 1678

Dictionary Entries Near write-off

Cite this Entry

“Write-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/write-off. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

write off

verb
1
: to take off the books : enter as a loss or expense
write off a bad debt
2
: to consider to be lost
the candidate has already written off some states
also : dismiss sense 3
wrote off my losing as bad luck

Legal Definition

write-off

1 of 2 noun
ˈrīt-ˌȯf
1
: the elimination of an asset or amount due from the books
2

write off

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to eliminate (an asset) from the books : enter as a loss or expense
write off a bad loan
2
: to use as a deduction in calculating taxable income
write off the cost as a business expense

More from Merriam-Webster on write-off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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