Amortizable describes an asset or cost that can be amortized, i.e., written off gradually over a period for tax or accounting purposes. The term is used mainly in finance and accounting contexts to indicate eligibility for systematic cost allocation. It implies predictability in expense recognition over time rather than immediate deduction.
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"The company classified the software license as amortizable, allowing annual deductions over five years."
"Tax rules specify which intangibles are amortizable and for how long."
"She evaluated whether the startup’s intangible assets were truly amortizable before the audit."
"The auditor questioned whether the liability was truly amortizable under current standards."
Amortizable traces to amortize, from French amortir, composed of a- (toward, on) and morthir (to kill, to diminish) in older Latin-based financial usage via medieval Latin amortizare, meaning to set aside or allot for the mowing down of a debt. In English, amortize emerged in the 18th–19th centuries in accounting, denoting gradual reduction of a debt or asset value. The suffix -izable, from Latin -ibilis via French -able, converts verbs into adjectives meaning ‘capable of being’ subjected to the action. The financial sense broadened in the 20th century to include assets like intangibles that can be expensed over time; amortizable then specifically refers to items eligible for systematic deduction. First known uses appear in professional accounting texts and tax guides of the late 19th to early 20th centuries, aligning with the rise of modern corporate financial reporting and tax accounting practices. The term’s semantic trajectory reflects the shift from cash-based immediacy to accrual-based recognition, where gradual cost allocation parallels amortization schedules and matching principles in corporate finance.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "amortizable" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "amortizable" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "amortizable"
-ble sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˌæ.mɔːr.tɪ.zə.bəl/ (US) or /ˌæ.mɔːˈtaɪ.zə.bəl/ (UK) with the primary stress on the MOR or ta syllable depending on subtleties of dialect. Break it into syllables: a-mor-ti-zable. Start with a short, clear 'a' as in cat, then 'mor' rhyming with 'more', the 'ti' as a short 'tih' and end with 'zə-bəl' where the final syllable reduces to 'bl' softly. For clarity, you can think: a-MOR-ti-zable, ensuring the 'mor' chunk carries the weight. Audio reference: consider listening to a pronunciation guide on Pronounce or YouGlish for variations in context.
Common errors: misplacing the stress, pronouncing the middle 'or' as a flat 'or' rather than a rounded, prolonged vowel, and conflating the 'ti' with a hard 't' followed by a strong 'z' rather than a light 'zə' sequence. Correction: place primary stress on mor- (a-MOR-ti-zable in US usage) or on -ta- in some UK dialects? (listen for ta as a secondary rise). Practice emphasizing the touch of the tongue for the 't' followed by a soft, quick 'i' and a reduced 'zə' before the final 'ble'.
In US English, the stress falls on MOR, with a clear 'or' as /ɔːr/ and a lighter second syllable 'ti'. UK English often softens the middle vowels; some speakers place primary stress on ta-/ta- depending on emphasis; final -ble can be reduced. Australian English tends to be similar to UK but with broader vowel qualities. Core differences center on vowel length, rhoticity (US rhotic /r/ vs nonrhotic UK), and the treatment of the -ti- and -zə- sequences. Reference IPA for each variant helps map the shifts.
Three main challenges: the multi-syllable balance, the sequence -mor-ti- followed by -zable, and the soft unstressed -ə- before the final -ble. The 'mor' cluster can be tricky if you’re not rounding the lips for /ɔːr/ or if you misplace the stress. The 'ti' is a quick, reduced vowel; then you must glide into the 'zə' before the 'ble'. Practicing slow, deliberate enunciation helps you keep the rhythm and reduce mispronunciations.
Why does 'amortizable' sometimes sound like 'amortiz-able' in fast speech, and how do you keep the 'ti' crisp without over-emphasizing the 'z'?
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