Definitions for arrear

• Definition
• Anagrams (27)

arrear ar·rears

Spelling: [uh-reerz]

IPA: /əˈrɪərz/

Arrear is a 6 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 6 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 6 points.

You can make 27 anagrams from letters in arrear (aaerrr).

Definitions for arrear

Idioms

1. in arrears, behind or late, especially in payment: Also, Chiefly Law, in arrear.

plural noun

1. the state of being behind or late, especially in the fulfillment of a duty, promise, obligation, or the like:
2. Sometimes, arrear. something overdue in payment; a debt that remains unpaid:

Origin of arrear

1300-50; noun use of arrear (adv., now obsolete), Middle English arere behind Middle French ≪ Latin ad retrō. See ad-, retro-

Examples for arrear

The pay of the troops was long in arrear, and they were all mutinous and discontented.

He had found the treasury empty and the pay of the navy in arrear.

Discontent was already prevalent, for the pay of the soldiers was in arrear.

Nevertheless, I have not fallen into arrear with my own tasks.

We could not spare a hand for them, and they have got sadly into arrear.

You must march in the arrear of your captivators to our quarters.

The sailors of the fleet were months in arrear of their pay.

You'll sell me up at last I suppose, when I am a day in arrear.

The pay of the soldiers got more and more hopelessly into arrear.

Say, Plornish, though six weeks in arrear to my proprietor, declines.