arrear

noun ar·rear \ ə-ˈrir \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 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

Connie Jones was in arrears for tens of thousands of dollars.

— michael kiefer, azcentral, "Scottsdale shooting suspect left divorce full of discord, YouTube channel full of grudges," 4 June 2018
At the end of 2016, the state was reckoned to be almost €33bn in arrears.

— The Economist, "A bizarre new government takes shape in Italy," 24 May 2018
Including a daily rental rate of $79.46, which has been accruing since March 14, the day after the city posted a three-day notice to pay rent, McVea is now about $30,500 in arrears.

— hillary davis, latimes.com, "Newport trying to collect $30,000 in back rent from tenant of city-owned apartment," 4 May 2018
In 2013, city records show that a lien was removed from the apartment after Mr. Brassner paid $21,668 in arrears and fees.

— william neuman, New York Times, "Trump Tower Smoke Sensors Alerted Firefighters to Deadly Blaze," 9 Apr. 2018
Someone’s account could be incorrectly marked in arrears, and their water service shut down.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Atlanta's Boring Ransomware Attack," 28 Mar. 2018
The firm also revealed the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority started a new enforcement investigation this month into how the firm treated customers in default or arrears.

— stephen morris, Bloomberg.com, "Barclays Sees Turnaround Gathering Momentum as Dividend Boosted," 22 Feb. 2018
Instead, Germany produced an astonishing comeback, Max Morlock reducing the arrears before Helmut Rahn scored twice.

— SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 16 Weeks to Go – Ferenc Puskás, the Galloping Major Who Led the Magical Magyars," 1 Mar. 2018
Bankruptcies, tax liens, defaulted student loans, or child support payments that are in arrears would be difficult to overcome and would automatically prevent Camden Homes from being able to get them into a home.

— david taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Home builder finding success in Cleveland market," 12 Mar. 2018

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-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1586

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year