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

In financial parlance, this is what is known as a write-down and the studio gets an impairment charge equivalent to it. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

The loss of the NBA in part prompted a massive $9 billion write-down of linear television assets. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2024

Verb

Kinnevik, which owns 21% of the startup, completely wrote down its investment in the company last year. —Lucinda Shen, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024

Keep a journal at your bedside and write down whatever thoughts are coming up for you that morning. —Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 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