The word "amortizes" is spelled with three syllables, with stress on the second syllable. Using IPA phonetic transcription, the pronunciation of the word is /əˈmɔːtaɪzɪz/. The first syllable is pronounced "uh", the second syllable is pronounced "more", and the third syllable is pronounced "tyze-iz". The word means to repay a debt gradually over time, and is commonly used in financial contexts. With its complex spelling and pronunciation, it can be tricky to spell correctly without practice.
Amortizes is a verb that refers to the process of gradually reducing or paying off a debt or loan through regular payments over a specified period. It involves the systematic allocation of payments towards the principal amount and interest charges, resulting in the gradual decrease of the outstanding balance.
In financial terms, amortization aims to evenly distribute the cost of an asset or liability over its estimated useful life or loan term. It is commonly applied when discussing mortgages or other long-term loans. When a borrower makes regular payments, a portion of the payment goes towards reducing the principal owed, while the remainder covers the interest accrued. As the principal amount decreases, so does the associated interest, causing a change in the payment allocation between principal and interest over time.
Amortization schedules aid in visualizing the repayment process by illustrating how each payment contributes to both principal reduction and interest payment. The schedule outlines the amount owed at the beginning of each period, the payment due, and the portion allocated to principal and interest. Over time, as more payments are made, the proportion allocated towards principal gradually increases, accelerating the amortization process.
Amortizes can also be used metaphorically outside of financial contexts. It can refer to the gradual reduction or dispersal of a recurring expense or the systematic spreading of a long-term cost over a specific time frame to alleviate its impact on an entity's finances.
The word "amortizes" is derived from the Latin term "amortire", which means "to kill" or "to die off". In Old French, the term transformed into "amortir", which meant "to dampen" or "to extinguish". The term later evolved in Middle French to "amortir", with the meaning of "to reduce gradually" or "to deaden". Eventually, the English language adopted the word "amortize" with the specific sense of gradually paying off a debt or loan over time.