arrears
pronunciation
How to pronounce arrears in British English:
UK [əˈrɪəz]
How to pronounce arrears in American English:
US [əˈrɪrz]
-
- Noun:
- the state of being behind in payments
- an unpaid overdue debt
Word Origin
- arrears (n.)
- mid-14c., "in times past," from Old French ariere "behind, backward," from Vulgar Latin *ad retro, from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + retro "behind" (see retro-). Meaning "balance due" dates from early 15c.; phrase in arrears first recorded 1610s, but in arrearages is from late 14c.
Example
- 1. Random dismiss and wage arrears phenomenon is prevalent .
- 2. As unemployment spreads and wages fall , mortgage arrears and defaults soar .
- 3. Although less than 0.5 % of chmc 's mortgages are in arrears , such exuberance is a worry .
- 4. He eventually found new work and they resumed payments , but could not pay their arrears .
- 5. And it says it will settle over $ 1.1 billion in arrears owed to pakistan under a programme to reimburse military expenses incurred guarding the wild border with afghanistan .