arrears Definition
- 1money that is owed and should have been paid earlier
- 2the state of being behind or late in paying a debt or obligation
Using arrears: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "arrears" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He fell into arrears with his rent payments.
Example
The company is in arrears with its taxes.
Example
The landlord threatened to evict the tenant for being in arrears.
arrears Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for arrears
- debt
- back payment
- outstanding payment
Phrases with arrears
Example
The tenant was two months in arrears with his rent.
Example
If you fall into arrears with your mortgage payments, the bank may foreclose on your home.
Example
The company had to clear arrears on its accounts before it could secure a loan.
Origins of arrears
from Old French 'arere', meaning 'behind'
Summary: arrears in Brief
'Arrears' [əˈrɪrz] refers to money that is owed and should have been paid earlier, or the state of being behind or late in paying a debt or obligation. Examples include falling into arrears with rent payments or taxes, and the phrase 'in arrears' denotes being behind or late in paying a debt or obligation. 'Clear arrears' means to pay off a debt that is overdue.