- Also called: arrearage /əˈrɪərɪdʒ/ (sometimes singular) something outstanding or owed
- in arrears, in arrear ⇒ late in paying a debt or meeting an obligation
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ar•rears /əˈrɪrz/USA pronunciation
n. [plural]
- BusinessUsually, (in) arrears. the state of being late in repaying a debt:
were two months in arrears. - Businessmoney owed:arrears of unpaid wages.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
arrears /əˈrɪəz/ n
ar•rear
(ə rēr′),USA pronunciation n.
- BusinessUsually, arrears. the state of being behind or late, esp. in the fulfillment of a duty, promise, obligation, or the like.
- BusinessOften, arrears. something overdue in payment;
a debt that remains unpaid.
- Middle French
Latin ad retrō. See ad-, retro- - noun, nominal use of arrear (adverb, adverbial, now obsolete), Middle English arere behind 1300–50
'arrears' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):