# arrear

/əˈɹɪɹ/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/arrear
Updated: 2026-09-18

## Definition

money that you owe because you did not pay it on time. It is often used to describe late rent or loan payments.

For teachers: an unpaid or overdue debt; the state of being behind in payments. Typically used in the plural form to refer to the outstanding balance itself.

## Examples

- He is in arrears with his rent.
- The company was forced to declare bankruptcy after falling into significant arrears with its primary suppliers.
- The court ordered the tenant to settle all outstanding arrears within thirty days or face immediate eviction from the commercial premises.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He paid his arrear" but "He paid his arrears" — When referring to the money owed, the plural form 'arrears' is almost always used.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the plural ('arrears') and often appears in the phrase 'in arrears'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.