Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

arrear

noun ar·rear \ ə-ˈrir \
|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of arrear

1 : the state of being behind in the discharge of obligations —usually used in plural
  • They were in arrears with the rent. [=they had failed to pay the rent when it was due]
2 a : an unfinished duty —usually used in plural
  • arrears of work that have piled up
b : an unpaid and overdue debt —usually used in plural
  • paying off the arrears of the past several months

Recent Examples of arrear from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'arrear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of arrear

Middle English arrere behind, backward, from Anglo-French arere, from Vulgar Latin *ad retro backward, from Latin ad to + retro backward, behind — more at at, retro-

Phrases Related to ARREAR

Related Phrases

Law Dictionary

arrear

noun ar·rear \ ə-ˈrir \

legal Definition of arrear

1 a : the condition of being behind in one's duties or especially financial obligations —usually used in pl.
  • in arrears with the rent
b : the condition of being due at the end of a term rather than the beginning —usually used in pl.
  • mortgage payments are made in arrears
2 : an unpaid and overdue debt —usually used in pl.
  • paying off the arrears of the previous owners

Learn More about arrear

  1. See words that rhyme with arrear Spanish Central: Translation of arrear

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up arrear? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

nonchalant

play

having an air of easy unconcern

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  2. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  3. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  4. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

  5. troll 'to harass, criticize, or antagonize especially by disparaging or mocking public statements'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

arrear

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games