Definition

1. Noun (plural):
   • Money that is owed and should have been paid earlier: A sum of money that is overdue and remains unpaid.
   • The state of being behind in fulfilling obligations, especially payments: The condition of having missed one or more required payments.

Usage

The word "arrears" is almost always used in its plural form. It commonly appears in financial, legal, and rental contexts to describe overdue debts or the state of being behind. - It is often used with the prepositions "in" or "with" (e.g., in arrears, with arrears). - It can function as the object of a verb (e.g., pay the arrears) or follow a linking verb (e.g., The account is in arrears).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The tenant was evicted for being six months in arrears on his rent.
  • After losing his job, he fell into arrears with his mortgage payments.
  • The company is working to clear its tax arrears.

Advanced Usage

• "In arrears": This is the most common phrase. It describes the state of being behind on payments.
  • If your subscription payment is in arrears, your service may be suspended.
• "Paid in arrears": In payroll and some service contracts, this means payment is made the work period has been completed, not in advance. This is a standard business term and does not imply a debt.
  • Employees are paid in arrears on the 5th of each month for the previous month's work.

Variants and Related Words

• Arrearage (noun): A less common singular form with the same meaning as "arrears."
  • The court ordered him to pay the arrearage in full.
• Arrear (noun, archaic): An old-fashioned, rarely used singular form.

Synonyms

• Debt: Something, typically money, that is owed.
• Balance due: The amount of money still owed.
• Overdue payment: A payment that has passed its due date.

Related Phrases

• To fall into arrears: To become late in making payments.
  • Many people fell into arrears during the economic crisis.
• To be behind with payments: A more general phrase meaning the same as "to be in arrears."

Noun

1. an unpaid overdue debt
2. the state of being behind in payments
   • an account in arrears