To dismiss someone or something as a failure or total loss; to officially cancel a debt; or to treat a cost as a tax deduction.
To decide that something is ruined, worthless, or not worth caring about anymore.
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To dismiss someone or something as a failure, hopeless, or not worth any further attention.
"Don't write her off — she's had a slow start but she's very talented."
Never write off a Tory government's ability to be cruel.
— The Guardian, 2023
To officially cancel a debt and accept it will not be repaid, or to record a financial loss in accounts.
"The bank wrote off millions in bad loans after the financial crisis."
(British English) To damage a vehicle so badly that the cost of repair exceeds its value; to total a car.
"He walked away from the accident unhurt, but the car was completely written off."
To deduct a business expense from taxable income.
"You can write off your home office expenses if you work from home."
To make a mark or entry in writing that removes something from a record.
To decide that something is ruined, worthless, or not worth caring about anymore.
Very common in business (accounting write-offs, tax write-offs) and informal speech (dismissing someone as hopeless). In British English, also commonly used for a vehicle that is damaged beyond repair. The phrase 'write-off' as a noun is very frequent.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "write off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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