arrears

[ uh-reerz ]
/ əˈrɪərz /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR arrears ON THESAURUS.COM

plural noun

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 for 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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM arrears

ar·rear·age, noun

Words nearby arrears

arras, arrau, array, arrayal, arrearage, arrears, arrector, arrenotoky, arrest, arrest of judgment, arrestable

Words related to arrears

liability, obligation, deficit, deficiency, debit, claim

Example sentences from the Web for arrears

British Dictionary definitions for arrears

arrears
/ (əˈrɪəz) /

noun

Also called: arrearage (əˈrɪərɪdʒ) (sometimes singular) something outstanding or owed
in arrears or in arrear late in paying a debt or meeting an obligation

Word Origin for arrears

C18: from obsolete arrear (adv) behindhand, from Old French arere, from Medieval Latin adretrō, from Latin ad to + retrō backwards

Idioms and Phrases with arrears

arrears

see in arrears.