Meaning & use
uncollectable vs uncollectible
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
a comparison of two spellings of the same adjective, meaning 'impossible to collect,' especially of debts.
Grammar: Used as a heading or discussion topic; the actual adjective is uncollectable or uncollectible.
Patterns
- uncollectable vs uncollectible
- spelled uncollectable or uncollectible
The style guide explains the difference between uncollectable vs uncollectible.
In our contracts we use uncollectible, but uncollectable appears in older documents.
The dictionary lists uncollectable vs uncollectible as variant spellings of one word.
adjectivenot comparablefinance
uncollectible (also uncollectable): impossible to get payment for, especially a debt that will not be paid.
Grammar: Describes a debt or account; no comparative forms.
Patterns
- uncollectible debt
- uncollectible account
The bank wrote off the uncollectible loan after two years.
Small businesses often struggle with uncollectable invoices.
The auditor classified the account as uncollectible.
Common combinations
- uncollectible debt
- The company sold its uncollectible debt to a collection agency.
- uncollectable account
- The manager marked the uncollectable account for write-off.
- write off as uncollectible
- They wrote off the invoice as uncollectible.
- uncollectible receivables
- Uncollectible receivables reduce the company's reported profit.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bad
- In finance, a bad debt is one unlikely to be paid; uncollectible is more formal and absolute, meaning it cannot be collected.
- irrecoverable
- Irrecoverable means cannot be got back, often for losses or money; uncollectible is used specifically for debts and accounts.
Opposites
Word family
- collect verb
- to get payment for something owed
- collection noun
- the act of getting payment, or the money collected
- collectible adjective
- able to be collected, especially of debts or valuable items
Commonly confused: uncollectable vs uncollectible or uncollectable? uncollectable vs uncollectible or collectable?
uncollectable vs uncollectible vs uncollectable
Uncollectable is simply a variant spelling of uncollectible; both mean the same, but uncollectible is more common in US business writing.
uncollectable vs uncollectible vs collectable
Collectable usually describes items people collect, like stamps; in finance it can mean a debt that can be collected.
Practice
Which sentence uses the more common American spelling for a debt that cannot be collected?
Choose one answer.
Uncollectible is the standard American spelling in business writing. Uncollectable is a variant but less common; incollectible is not a word, and the possessive form in option D is grammatically wrong here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “uncollectable vs uncollectible”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.