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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Origin: | arrear 'backward, behind' (14-18 centuries), from Old French arere, from Vulgar Latin ad retro 'to the back' |
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ar‧rears
[plural]
[plural]1 if someone is in arrears, or if their payments are in arrears, they are late in paying something that they should pay regularly, such as rent : 
Many people are in arrears with their rent.
be in arrears
Many people are in arrears with their rent. fall/get into arrears (=become late with payments)
2 money that you owe someone because you have not made regular payments at the correct time : We've got 3 months arrears to pay.
We've got 3 months arrears to pay.3 if your salary is paid in arrears, it is paid at the end of the period you have worked : a salary paid monthly in arrears
paid in arrears
British EnglishBEWa salary paid monthly in arrears