Write off
verb
To decide that something is not worth anything.
The company has written off the bad debt owing to them.
Often appears as...
- write off a debt
- write off an investment
verb
To damage something, especially a vehicle, so badly that it cannot be used or repaired.
She wrote off her car in the accident.
Often appears as...
- write off a car
- write off a bike
verb
To decide that something or someone is at a loss or hopeless.
I wouldn't write him off so soon, he still has a good chance of winning.
Often appears as...
- write off a person
- write off a team
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To classify expenditure or losses for tax purposes.
She wrote off the business trip expenses.
Often appears as...
- write off expenses
- write off losses
Usage tips
Financial
verb
To decide that something is not worth anything.
The company has written off the bad debt owing to them.
Often appears as...
- write off a debt
- write off an investment
verb
To damage something, especially a vehicle, so badly that it cannot be used or repaired.
She wrote off her car in the accident.
Often appears as...
- write off a car
- write off a bike
verb
To decide that something or someone is at a loss or hopeless.
I wouldn't write him off so soon, he still has a good chance of winning.
Often appears as...
- write off a person
- write off a team
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To classify expenditure or losses for tax purposes.
She wrote off the business trip expenses.
Often appears as...
- write off expenses
- write off losses
Usage tips
Financial
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Business Context
Often used in financial settings to describe uncollectable debts or worthless investments.
The start-up venture was a write-off after two years of losses.
Pro Tip 2/2Irrecoverable Loss
Implies an item's value has been reduced to zero and is no longer useful or relevant.
Years of research were written off due to the failed experiment.
Pro Tip 1/2Business Context
Often used in financial settings to describe uncollectable debts or worthless investments.
The start-up venture was a write-off after two years of losses.
Pro Tip 2/2Irrecoverable Loss
Implies an item's value has been reduced to zero and is no longer useful or relevant.
Years of research were written off due to the failed experiment.
Pro Tip 1/2Business Context
Often used in financial settings to describe uncollectable debts or worthless investments.
The start-up venture was a write-off after two years of losses.
Pro Tip 2/2Irrecoverable Loss
Implies an item's value has been reduced to zero and is no longer useful or relevant.
Years of research were written off due to the failed experiment.
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