What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
arrearage
Example
He fell into arrearage with his rent and now owes several months' worth of payment. [arrearage: noun]
Example
The company is experiencing arrearage in their accounts receivable, causing financial difficulties. [arrearage: noun]
backlog
Example
The team has a backlog of customer support tickets that need to be addressed. [backlog: noun]
Example
Due to the recent surge in demand, the company is struggling with a backlog of orders. [backlog: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Backlog is more commonly used than arrearage in everyday language. Backlog is a versatile term that can be applied to different situations, while arrearage is more specific and often used in legal or financial discussions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between arrearage and backlog?
While arrearage is associated with a formal and technical tone, backlog is less formal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
