Well-read · Money · Law & order
Arrears: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Arrears noun. Money that is owed and should already have been paid.
How to say it
uh-REERZ/əˈrɪəz/
2 syllables, stressed on the second (REERZ).
Arrears in a sentence
By March they were three months in arrears with the rent.
The council chased the arrears with increasingly stern letters.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- debts
- outstanding payments
- liabilities
Where arrears comes from
From the phrase in arrear, behind, from Old French arere.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The council chased the _____ with increasingly stern letters.
- usufruct
- arrears
- indemnity
Show the answer
arrears: The council chased the arrears with increasingly stern letters.