palimony

[ pal-uh-moh-nee ]

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.

palimony

/ ˈpælɪmənɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of palimony¹

1975–80, Americanism; blend of pal and alimony

Word History and Origins

Origin of palimony¹

C20: from a blend of pal + alimony

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times

The tour was managing a recent controversy with Billie Jean King, who had been sued for palimony by a former girlfriend.

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