palimony

American  

[pal-uh-moh-nee] / ˈpæl əˌmoʊ ni /

noun

1. a form of alimony awarded to one of the partners in a romantic relationship after the breakup of that relationship following a long period of living together.

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palimony British  

/ ˈpælɪmənɪ /

noun

1. alimony awarded to a nonmarried partner after the break-up of a long-term relationship

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Etymology

Origin of palimony

1975–80, blend of pal and alimony

Compare meaning

How does palimony compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• palimony vs. alimony

Explanation

When an unmarried couple splits up, the person who makes more money will sometimes be ordered by a court to help their former partner financially — this is called palimony. After a divorce, a former husband or wife is often required to help support an ex-spouse who earns less money. The legal term for this court-ordered financial support is alimony. Alimony has been around for hundreds of years, while the newer palimony, which is not an official legal term, was coined in the late 1970s by a lawyer whose client was suing her former long-term partner for financial support. The word is a portmanteau of pal and alimony.

Example Sentences

King was outed in a palimony suit filed by her onetime secretary in April 1981.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2022

“One was ‘Doomsday in Court,’ about a horror-movie star like Bela Lugosi, who is being sued for palimony by his live-in lover, which at the time was a big issue,” Burnett said.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 31, 2019

Arnold was being questioned by Marvin Mitchelson, a celebrity attorney who pioneered the right of palimony.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2017

Outed by a palimony suit in the early 1980s, she became one of the first openly gay female athletes, and now lives with her longtime partner Ilana Kloss, also a former pro tennis player.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2017

Alternatively, the judge could refuse to grant palimony altogether—in effect, treating the couple as less than cohabitants—to avoid legitimizing the illegal polygamous relationship.

From Slate • Jul. 25, 2012