arrears

A sum of money that has not been paid or has only been paid in part at the time it is due.

A person who is "in arrears" is behind in payments due and thus has outstanding debts or liabilities. For example, a tenant who has not paid rent on the day it is due is in arrears.

Arrears may also refer to the late distribution of the dividends of cumulative preferred stock.

---

arrears n. money not paid when due, usually the sum of a series of unpaid amounts, such as rent, installments on an account or promissory note, or monthly child support. Sometimes these are called "arrearages."

---

arrears noun arrearage, back payments, balance due, debit, debt, debt unpaid though due, default, deferred payment, deficit, delinquency, indebtedness, indebtment, liability, obligation, outstanding debt, overdue bill, overdue payment, payments past due, pecuniae residuae, state of indebtedness, unpaid bill, unpaid debt
Associated concepts: arrears in taxes, arrears of alimony, arrears of assessment, arrears of dues, arrears of interest, arrears of premiums, arrears of rent, arrears of taxes, judggent on arrears

---

See also: debit, debt, deficit, delinquency, due