First Known Use: 1867
Dictionary
amortize
verb am·or·tize \ˈa-mər-ˌtīz also ə-ˈmȯr-\
business : to pay money that is owed for something (such as a mortgage) by making regular payments over a long period of time
am·or·tizedam·or·tiz·ing
Full Definition of AMORTIZE
transitive verb
1
: to pay off (as a mortgage) gradually usually by periodic payments of principal and interest or by payments to a sinking fund
2
: to gradually reduce or write off the cost or value of (as an asset) <amortize goodwill> <amortize machinery>
— am·or·tiz·able \-ˌtī-zə-bəl\ adjective
See amortize defined for English-language learners
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of AMORTIZE
Middle English amortisen to kill, alienate in mortmain, from Anglo-French amorteser, alteration of amortir, from Vulgar Latin *admortire to kill, from Latin ad- + mort-, mors death — more at murder
Other Business Terms
Learn More About AMORTIZE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: amortizementPrevious Word in the Dictionary: amortizationAll Words Near: amortize
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up amortize? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).