arrears

American  

[uh-reerz] / əˈrɪərz /

plural noun

1. the state of being behind or late, especially in the fulfillment of a duty, promise, obligation, or the like.

   Many homeowners have fallen into arrears.

2. Sometimes arrear something overdue in payment; a debt that remains unpaid.

   Those countries that have paid their arrears may be granted additional loans.

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idioms

1. in arrears, behind or late, especially in payment: Also in arrear

   She was three months in arrears on her mortgage and credit card payments.

arrears British  

/ əˈrɪəz /

noun

1. Also called: arrearage.  (sometimes singular) something outstanding or owed

2. late in paying a debt or meeting an obligation

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arrears More Idioms  

1. see in arrears.

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Other Word Forms

• arrearage noun

Etymology

Origin of arrears

1300–50; noun use of arrear (adv., now obsolete), Middle English arere behind < Middle French ≪ Latin ad retrō. See ad-, retro-

Example Sentences

The death comes amid a difficult economic climate in the heavily indebted west African country, where students have protested the thorny issue of stipend arrears for several years.

From Barron's

It said repairs were undertaken by an external contractor that did not work a four-day week and that rent arrears were "well below" the national average and affected by cost-of-living pressures.

From BBC

Inflation also undermines the value of Social Security payments, because the annual cost-of-living adjustments come a year in arrears.

From MarketWatch

The Englishman crafted breaks of 116 and 69 as he raced into a 3-0 lead before China's Ding responded with runs of 98 and 53 to reduce his arrears to a solitary frame.

From BBC

Josh Laurent halved the arrears midway through the first half and hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages in their push for an equaliser before Bruno Guimaraes sealed victory for Eddie Howe's men.

From Barron's

Related Words

• deficit
• liability
• obligation