World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesArrears
/əˈrɪrz/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Money that is owed and should have been paid earlier.
"He was in arrears on his mortgage payments, which led to the bank threatening foreclosure." - 2
The state of being behind in the fulfillment of obligations, especially in payments.
"The company was facing legal action due to significant arrears in employee salaries."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The word 'arrears' originates from the Middle English term 'arere', which means 'behind' or 'at the back'. It evolved from the Old French 'arrière', which also means 'behind', and has roots in the Latin 'retro', meaning 'backward'. Over time, it came to denote the state of being overdue or in debt.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Arrears"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Arrears" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
arriérés
Transliteration: aʁi.eʁ
"Il a des arriérés de paiement sur son loyer."
Rückstände
Transliteration: ˈʁʏkʃtɛndə
"Er hat Rückstände bei seinen Rechnungen."
arretrati
Transliteration: ar.reˈtra.ti
"Ha degli arretrati da pagare."
deudas pendientes
Transliteration: ˈdewðas penˈdientes
"Tiene deudas pendientes con el banco."
atrasos
Transliteration: aˈtɾazuz
"Ele tem atrasos nos pagamentos."
बकाया
Transliteration: bakāyā
"उसके पास बकाया राशि है।"
欠款
Transliteration: qiànkuǎn
"他有未支付的欠款。"
체납
Transliteration: chenap
"그는 세금 체납이 있다."
未払い
Transliteration: mihara
"彼は未払いの請求書があります。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsExplore Nuanced Synonyms for "Arrears"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.