arrearage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Legal, Financial
Quick answer
What does “arrearage” mean?
The state or condition of being behind in fulfilling obligations, especially payments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or condition of being behind in fulfilling obligations, especially payments; unpaid and overdue debt.
A quantity or amount that is overdue and owing; the condition of being in arrears. Can also refer, more broadly, to a backlog or accumulation of something that should have been completed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is understood in both varieties but is exceptionally rare in everyday British English, where 'arrears' is overwhelmingly preferred. In American English, it retains a niche in formal legal and financial contexts.
Connotations
In both dialects, it connotes legal formality and financial delinquency. It can sound archaic or deliberately precise.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency overall. Slightly more likely to be encountered in American legal/financial documents than in British ones.
Grammar
How to Use “arrearage” in a Sentence
arrearage of + [debt type]arrearage in + [payments/obligations]arrearage on + [loan/mortgage]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arrearage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company's accounts showed a significant arrearage in vendor payments.
Academic
The study analysed the social impact of child support arrearage on low-income families.
Everyday
Very rarely used in everyday conversation. One might say: 'I need to sort out my council tax arrears.' (Not 'arrearage').
Technical
The court ordered the garnishment of wages to satisfy the child support arrearage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arrearage”
- Using it in casual speech. (Incorrect: 'I have an arrearage on my phone bill.')
- Pronouncing it as /ˈæriːrɪdʒ/ (with stress on first syllable).
- Using it as a plural (e.g., 'these arrearages' is possible but 'arrears' is better).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While it is a type of debt, 'arrearage' specifically refers to debt that is overdue and unpaid, often with legal implications. 'Debt' is a broader term.
Almost always use 'arrears'. 'Arrearage' is a highly formal, technical term best reserved for legal or precise financial writing where its specific nuance is required.
Yes, 'arrearages' is grammatically correct (e.g., 'to pay all arrearages'), but it is very rare. 'Arrears' is the preferred plural form.
The main difference is in the second vowel. British English uses the /ɪə/ diphthong (/əˈrɪərɪdʒ/), while American English uses a simple /ɪ/ sound (/əˈrɪrɪdʒ/), making the 'rear' part rhyme with 'mirror' in AmE.
The state or condition of being behind in fulfilling obligations, especially payments.
Arrearage is usually formal, legal, financial in register.
Arrearage: in British English it is pronounced /əˈrɪərɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈrɪrɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in arrearage”
- “fall into arrearage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ARREARAGE as a formal STAGE for ARREARS. It's like arrears have stepped onto a formal, legal stage.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEBT IS A BURDEN (to carry an arrearage); BEHIND IS BAD (being in arrearage is being behind).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'arrearage' MOST appropriately used?