installment
10 synonyms for installment, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — One part of something released or paid in a series over time.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use installment
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pay in installments
the latest installment
Etymology
An altered 1732 spelling of "estallment," from Anglo-Norman estaler ("to fix payments"), from Old French estal ("fixed position").
Full origin of installment →Frequently asked questions
What does “installment” mean?
The word “installment” means one part of something released or paid in a series over time. In plain terms, one piece of a series — whether it's a payment plan or the next episode of a story.
How do you pronounce “installment”?
“Installment” is pronounced ihn-STAWL-muhnt (/ɪnˈstɔːl.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “installment” in a sentence?
Here is “installment” used in a sentence: “The next installment of the series comes out in the spring.”
What is another word for “installment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “installment” include investiture, investment and installation.
What part of speech is “installment”?
“Installment” is a noun.
Where does the word “installment” come from?
The word “installment” dates back to around 1732 and comes from Old French. An altered 1732 spelling of "estallment," from Anglo-Norman estaler ("to fix payments"), from Old French estal ("fixed position").
Is “installment” a common word?
“Installment” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between installment and payment?
An installment is specifically one part of a larger sum that is paid in a series over time, such as a monthly installment on a loan. Payment is a more general term for any transfer of money, which may be made as a single lump sum or broken into installments.
How is installment used outside of finance?
Beyond payments, installment is also used for one part of something released over time, such as an installment of a book series, television show, or magazine story. In both financial and creative contexts, the core idea is the same: one segment of something larger delivered in stages.
Is installment spelled differently in British and American English?
American English typically uses installment with two Ls, while British English commonly uses instalment with one L. Both spellings refer to the same concept of a partial payment or a single part of a serialized release.
