arrears

 
Pronunciation: /əˈrɪəz/

plural noun

  • money that is owed and should have been paid earlier: he was suing the lessee for the arrears of rent mortgage arrears

Phrases

in arrears

(also chiefly Law in arrear)
  • 1behind with paying money that is owed: two out of three tenants are in arrears
  • (of payments made or due for wages, rent, etc.) at the end of each period in which work is done or a tenancy is occupied: you will be paid monthly in arrears
  • 2(of a competitor in a sports race or match) having a lower score or weaker performance than other competitors: she finished ten metres in arrears

Derivatives

arrearage

noun

Origin:

Middle English (first used in the phrase in arrear): from arrear (adverb) 'behind, overdue', from Old French arere, from medieval Latin adretro, from ad- 'towards' + retro 'backwards'