arrears
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.
Sometimes arrear . something overdue in payment; a debt that remains unpaid: Those countries that have paid their arrears may be granted additional loans.
Idioms about arrears
in arrears, behind or late, especially in payment: She was three months in arrears on her mortgage and credit card payments.: Also Chiefly Law, in arrear .
Origin of arrears
1Other words from arrears
- ar·rear·age, noun
Words Nearby arrears
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use arrears in a sentence
There are some men295 who with an annual revenue of two millions are yearly still five hundred thousand livres in arrears.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre | Jean de La BruyreHowever I have had the arrears of rent paid into Fleet street: which leaves a very moderate balance of interest against me.
Private Letters of Edward Gibbon (1753-1794) Volume 1 (of 2) | Edward GibbonThree thousand cows, worth as many marks, were offered in discharge of all arrears.
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3) | Richard BagwellThe Kavanaghs were tolerably quiet, ‘and though much in arrears of rent, yet pay it they will and shall.’
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3) | Richard BagwellAt the time of the grant it was intended that the advances should be repaid as soon as the tenants should pay up their arrears.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
British Dictionary definitions for arrears
/ (əˈrɪəz) /
Also called: arrearage (əˈrɪərɪdʒ) (sometimes singular) something outstanding or owed
in arrears or in arrear late in paying a debt or meeting an obligation
Origin of arrears
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with arrears
see in arrears.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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