Write-down Definition and Meaning
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Published on June 15, 2026
Write-down is accounting action whereby the value of an asset is reduced on the financial statements to reflect its current market value. e.g., The company took a significant write-down on its unsold inventory.
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Write-down Definitions
A reduction in the book value of an asset because it is overvalued compared to the market value.
The write-down of the asset was recorded after the annual audit.
To decrease the book value of an asset in the accounts.
They decided to write-down the value of the obsolete equipment.
A specific type of write-down that reflects a permanent reduction in the value of a company's asset.
The impairment write-down was necessary due to the asset's sustained loss of functionality.
A write-down that can be deducted from taxable income.
The tax write-down for depreciated assets provided a relief from large tax payments.
A reduction in the value of goodwill on a company’s books, often due to diminished future cash flow projections.
The acquisition did not pan out as expected, necessitating a significant goodwill write-down.
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A decrease in the amount of debt recorded on the books because the debt is partly forgiven or deemed uncollectible.
The negotiations resulted in a debt write-down, relieving some of the company's financial burden.
The action of reducing the recorded cost of a fixed asset in accounting.
An asset write-down was recorded on the financial statements after the market crash.
Reducing the balance of a bad debt that is unlikely to be collected in full.
The credit write-down was reflected in the quarterly earnings report.
A decrease in the value of inventory that is no longer worth its original cost.
Excessive stock of outdated models led to an inventory write-down.
A downward adjustment in the value of an asset.
Alt form of writedown.
(accounting) reduction in the book value of an asset
A change made to the book value of an asset, often reflected in a company's financial statements.
The financial director announced a write-down adjustment during the shareholder meeting.
Write-down Snonyms
Reduction
The action of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
A reduction in the prices helped clear the old stock.
Devaluation
A reduction in the value of an asset.
The economic crisis led to the devaluation of currency.
Impairment
A permanent decrease in the value of an asset.
The natural disaster caused impairment to several of the company's assets.
Markdown
A reduction in the selling price of products or goods.
The end-of-season markdowns attracted many shoppers.
Amortization
The process of gradually writing off the initial cost of an asset.
Amortization of the new software will occur over five years.
Downturn
A decline in economic, business, or other activity.
The market downturn affected several industries.
Depreciation
The reduction in the recorded value of an asset over time due to wear and tear.
Depreciation of machinery is recorded annually.
Concession
A thing that is granted, especially in response to demands.
The creditor offered a concession by reducing the debt amount.
Downgrade
A reduction in the estimated value or status of something.
The stocks were downgraded by analysts after the profit warning.
Write-off
A cancellation from an account of a bad debt or worthless asset.
The company had to make a write-off for the unpaid invoices.
Write-down Idioms & Phrases
Ake a write-down
To acknowledge and record the reduced value of an asset.
The firm had to take a write-down on its real estate holdings.
Face a write-down
To confront or deal with the need to reduce the value of assets.
The company faced a write-down as the technology became obsolete.
Lead to a write-down
To result in a necessary reduction of asset value.
Poor fiscal management led to a significant write-down.
Trigger a write-down
To cause the need for a reduction in asset value.
The collapse of the market triggered a write-down of investments.
Reflect a write-down
To show a reduction in asset value in financial statements.
The annual report reflected a write-down of $2 million.
Undergo a write-down
To experience a decrease in asset values.
The subsidiary underwent a write-down due to poor sales.
Handle a write-down
To manage the process of reducing the value of assets.
The finance team handled a write-down efficiently this quarter.
Propose a write-down
To suggest recording a lower asset value.
The auditors proposed a write-down on the outdated inventory.
Complete a write-down
To finish the process of adjusting asset values.
Completing the write-down helped stabilize the company’s financials.
Write-down Example Sentences
Investors were concerned about the potential impact of the write-down on the stock price.
The financial analyst forecasted a necessary write-down due to the economic downturn.
The CFO announced a write-down on several underperforming assets.
Due to declining market demand, the company had to write-down its inventory.
Shareholders questioned the timing of the write-down during the annual general meeting.
The write-down was reflected in the company's quarterly financial report.
The audit revealed that a write-down of goodwill was necessary to align with market realities.
The write-down affected the company's credit rating, making borrowing more expensive.
Management was hesitant to write-down the old machinery, hoping for a rebound in sales.
The write-down was a tough but necessary decision to maintain financial health.
After the write-down, the company's net assets were significantly reduced.
The board discussed how to handle the tax implications of the write-down.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide write-down into syllables?
Write-down is divided into syllables as write-down.
What is a stressed syllable in write-down?
The first syllable is stressed in "write-down."
How is write-down used in a sentence?
Write-down is used to refer to the reduction in the book value of an asset on financial statements.
What is the verb form of write-down?
The verb form of "write-down" is "write down" (without the hyphen), used in contexts like "to write down an asset."
What is the pronunciation of write-down?
Write-down is pronounced as /ˈraɪtˌdaʊn/.
What is another term for write-down?
Another term for "write-down" is "devaluation."
How many syllables are in write-down?
Write-down has two syllables.
What is the third form of write-down?
The third form of "write-down" is written down.
Why is it called a write-down?
It is called a "write-down" because it involves writing down the book value of an asset to reflect its reduced worth or market value.
What is the first form of write-down?
The first form of "write-down" is write down (as a verb).
What is the singular form of write-down?
The singular form is "write-down."
What is the plural form of write-down?
The plural form is "write-downs."
Is write-down an adverb?
No, write-down is not an adverb.
Is write-down a collective noun?
No, write-down is not a collective noun.
What is the root word of write-down?
The root words of "write-down" are "write" and "down," reflecting the action of reducing an amount recorded in accounts.
What part of speech is write-down?
"Write-down" is a noun when hyphenated. As two separate words, "write down," it functions as a verb.
Is write-down an abstract noun?
Yes, write-down as a noun refers to an accounting concept, making it an abstract noun.
Is the write-down term a metaphor?
The term "write-down" can be seen as metaphorical, as it involves "writing" down numbers to reflect lower values, but it is primarily a literal term in accounting.
Is write-down a noun or adjective?
Write-down is a noun.
Is write-down a negative or positive word?
Write-down is generally a negative word in financial contexts, as it implies a loss in asset value.
Is write-down a countable noun?
Yes, write-down is a countable noun.
Is the word “write-down” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In sentences like "The company took a write-down," "write-down" functions as the direct object.
Which determiner is used with write-down?
Determiners such as "a," "the," and "another" can be used with "write-down," depending on the context.
Which preposition is used with write-down?
Common prepositions used with "write-down" include "of" and "on," depending on the context.
What is the opposite of write-down?
The opposite of write-down could be "write-up," which is an increase in the book value of an asset.
Is the word write-down imperative?
Write-down itself is not imperative; however, the verb form "write down" can be used in imperative sentences, e.g., "Write down the assets properly."
Is the word write-down Gerund?
No, "writing down" would be the gerund form of the verb "to write down."
Which vowel is used before write-down?
Typically, the article "a" is used before "write-down" as it begins with a consonant sound.
Which conjunction is used with write-down?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "or" can be used with "write-down" in compound sentences.
Which article is used with write-down?
The article "a" is commonly used with "write-down" when referring to a singular instance.
What is the second form of write-down?
The second form of "write-down" is wrote down.
Is write-down a vowel or consonant?
The word "write-down" starts with a consonant.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
