arrears

[ uh-reerz ]

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.

arrears

/ əˈrɪəz /

noun

1. Also calledarrearageəˈrɪərɪdʒ sometimes singular something outstanding or owed
2. in arrears or in arrear
   late in paying a debt or meeting an obligation

Other Words From

• ar·rear·age noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrears¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrears¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

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

More idioms and phrases containing arrears

see in arrears .

Example Sentences

Her relationship with her boyfriend has ended and her mortgage is in arrears.

From BBC

The FCA said Moneybarn had "failed to allow customers the ability to clear their arrears over a realistic and sustainable period".

From BBC

"Mortgage arrears, people struggling with their mortgages, have actually been declining again since December," he told the BBC.

From BBC

Ireland reduced their arrears six minutes into the second half when Aoife Wafer bulldozed her way through a number of Canadian defenders and O'Brien's subsequent cross-field kick was collected by Considine, who dotted down in the corner.

From BBC

She added that Ms Winham had previously been subject to an eviction warrant in April 2014 after getting into rent arrears of £1,579 after she had stopped claiming housing benefit.

From BBC

Related Words

• deficit
• liability
• obligation