depreciation

/dɪˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən/ (ame, mw)

depreciation — noun

1. The gradual loss of value that something undergoes as it gets older, is used, or

1.名詞B2
釋義

The gradual loss of value that something undergoes as it gets older, is used, or as market conditions change.

例句

Soraya watched her new car suffer rapid depreciation the moment she drove it off the lot.

collocation: suffer + depreciation (of a newly purchased item)

Currency depreciation made imported goods far more expensive for consumers in the region.

depreciation + of + [currency] for value decline

同義詞
  • decline

    More general — can refer to any decrease, not just in value (e.g., decline in quality).

  • decrease

    Neutral and broad; less specific to continuous, time-based loss.

  • devaluation

    Specifically a deliberate, official reduction in currency value by a government; narrower and more sudden.

反義詞
  • appreciation

    An increase in value over time, the opposite of depreciation.

文法句型

depreciation + in + noun phrase

depreciation + of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Used for any general decrease in worth over time — cars, electronics, property, or currency. Not used for temporary price reductions, which are called discounts or markdowns. Often paired with 'in' (depreciation in property values) or 'of' (depreciation of the currency).

常見錯誤

❌The store offered a depreciation on winter coats.
✅The store offered a discount on winter coats.
💡Depreciation is a gradual loss of value over time, not a temporary price cut set by a seller.
❌There was a depreciation in the stock market yesterday.
✅There was a decline in the stock market yesterday.
💡Depreciation refers to a gradual, long-term process, not a single day's drop.

2. A method used in accounting and tax reporting where the cost of a long-term phys

2.名詞B2
釋義

A method used in accounting and tax reporting where the cost of a long-term physical asset (such as machinery, vehicles, or buildings) is gradually reduced over its expected useful life, allowing a business to spread the expense across multiple years.

例句

Omar's company calculates the annual depreciation of its delivery trucks using a standard seven-year schedule.

annual depreciation + fixed time-period schedule

Accountants must decide whether to use straight-line or accelerated depreciation when preparing the annual report.

straight-line vs. accelerated depreciation methods

同義詞
  • amortization

    Similar concept but applies to intangible assets (patents, trademarks) or loan repayment schedules, not physical items.

  • write-down

    A one-time reduction in an asset's book value, not a gradual annual process.

反義詞
  • appreciation

    An increase in an asset's value over time; not typically used in accounting for fixed assets.

文法句型

depreciation + of + asset

claim + depreciation + on + asset

depreciation + expense

用法筆記

This sense is restricted to formal accounting and tax contexts. Only long-term tangible assets used in a business (machinery, vehicles, buildings, furniture) qualify; inventory, short-term supplies, and personal belongings do not. Different methods (straight-line, declining balance, sum-of-the-years'-digits) produce different annual amounts.

常見錯誤

❌I can claim depreciation on the snacks I bought for the office party.
✅I can claim depreciation on the office furniture I bought for my business.
💡Only long-term assets qualify, not short-term consumables.
❌My phone has depreciation of 20% each year because I use it personally.
✅My phone loses value, but depreciation as a tax term only applies to business assets.
💡Personal use items are not depreciated for accounting or tax purposes.