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

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times

“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

Billie Jean King, who, in 1981, became the first prominent female athlete to come out, after her partner filed a palimony suit against her, had enthusiastically supported the arena being named for Court, in 2003.

From The New Yorker

She sued Eastwood for palimony, then later sued him for fraud, saying a movie development deal he arranged for her was a sham to get her to drop the palimony suit.

From Washington Post

She sued her former partner for palimony then later sued him for fraud saying a movie development deal he arranged for her was a sham to get her to drop the palimony suit.

From The Guardian