Meaning & use
instalments
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“instalments” is a form of “instalment”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralBritishfinance
Parts of a larger sum of money that a person agrees to pay at regular intervals until the full amount is settled.
Grammar: Plural of instalment; often used after in: pay in monthly instalments.
Patterns
- pay in instalments
- pay something by instalments
We paid for the sofa in twelve monthly instalments.
The tax bill can be settled in two instalments.
Missing instalments can lead to extra fees.
nounpluralBritish
Separate parts of a story, show or publication that are released one after another over time.
Grammar: Plural of instalment: the latest instalments of the series.
Patterns
- the next instalments of something
The novel appeared in weekly instalments in the magazine.
The final two instalments of the series air this month.
Fans waited eagerly for later instalments of the saga.
Word forms
| singular | instalment |
|---|
Common combinations
- monthly instalments
- She repays the loan in monthly instalments.
- pay in instalments
- You may pay in instalments over a year.
- fall behind on instalments
- He fell behind on instalments after losing his job.
- equal instalments
- The fee is divided into equal instalments.
- weekly instalments
- The story ran in weekly instalments.
Synonyms and how they differ
- payments
- Payments is a broader word for any money paid, while instalments are specifically portions of one larger sum.
- installments
- Installments is the American spelling of the same word, with no difference in meaning.
- episodes
- Episodes is the usual word for parts of a television series, whereas instalments also suits books and articles.
- parts
- Parts is neutral and general, while instalments stresses a series released or paid over time.
Opposites
Word family
- instalment noun
- a single part of a payment or series
- install verb
- to put equipment in place or to place someone in a position
- installation noun
- the act of fitting equipment
Commonly confused: instalments or installments? instalments or install?
instalments vs installments
Installments is the American spelling of instalments, and both are correct in their own varieties.
instalments vs install
Install is the verb for fitting equipment, and it is related only in spelling to instalment, which concerns payments or parts.
Practice
She could not afford the laptop at once, so she paid for it in monthly ______.
Choose one answer.
Paying a larger sum in smaller regular parts is paying in instalments. The other words do not fit this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “instalments”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.