What does arrearage mean?
An arrearage is the total sum of money that remains unpaid after payments have become due, typically arising when someone falls behind on a series of required payments such as rent, taxes, loan installments, or child support. The term belongs chiefly to formal legal and financial registers: judges order defendants to satisfy an arrearage, landlords pursue tenants over rental arrearages, and accountants track arrearage balances on ledgers. Unlike its more common cousin "arrears," which describes the general condition of being behind, "arrearage" usually denotes a specific, quantifiable dollar amount owed. The word derives ultimately from the Vulgar Latin *adretro*, meaning "to the rear" or "backward," entering English through Old French. Because it implies accumulated debt and potential legal consequence, "arrearage" carries a negative connotation and signals seriousness; clearing an arrearage is generally framed as resolving an obligation rather than making an ordinary payment.
nounAn arrearage is an amount of money that remains unpaid after it is due, especially a debt accumulated from missed payments. It most often refers to overdue support payments or other legally owed sums.
- A total amount of money owed as the result of missed payments, especially in legal or financial contexts.
- The condition of being behind in fulfilling an obligation.
"After losing his job, he fell behind on child support and quickly built up a substantial arrearage."
"The court ordered him to pay $5,000 to clear the child support arrearage."
"Her rental arrearage had grown so large that she faced eviction."
Both singular and plural forms are used; the singular often treats the total owed as one sum, while the plural may refer to multiple distinct debts or categories of unpaid amounts.
"She had several outstanding arrearages across her various accounts."
The word 'arrearage' comes from the Old French 'areriere', meaning 'behind' — so every unpaid bill you have is literally something left 'behind' you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arrearage
"Arrearage" entered English in the early 17th century, derived from "arrear" plus the noun-forming suffix "-age." Its root traces back through Anglo-Norman and Old French "arere" ("behind, backward") to the Vulgar Latin *adretro*, from Latin "ad" ("toward") + "retro" ("back"). Cognates sharing this backward-looking root include "rearward" and "retrograde." The word developed specifically within legal and commercial English to denote accumulated unpaid debt.
Related word forms
How arrearage is actually used
"Arrearage" is primarily a formal, legal, and financial term. It appears frequently in court documents, family law, and accounting contexts but rarely in casual conversation. In everyday speech, people are more likely to say "behind on payments" or "in arrears." The word carries a slightly negative connotation, implying financial delinquency or failure to meet obligations.
Easily confused with arrearage
'Arrear' (usually plural, 'in arrears') refers to the state of being behind in payments, while 'arrearage' specifically denotes the total sum of money owed.