splitsville

[ splits-vil ]

noun

, Slang.

1. the state or condition of being divorced or separated.
2. the act of departing from a place; the state of being empty of people:

   Tallahassee is splitsville--no legislators are left in town.

Word History and Origins

Origin of splitsville¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1950–55; split (in the senses “to separate, divorce” and “to leave, depart”) + ’s ¹ + -ville

Example Sentences

The press breathlessly covers how much time has passed since the pair last spoke, whether they’re headed for splitsville, and if they can ever agree on what’s best for the children.

From New York Times

We know what that could mean: China’s divorce rate spiked after its quarantine period ended with countless couples heading for splitsville.

From The Guardian

“Vanity Fair & I have reached the relationship stage colloquially known as ‘splitsville,’ ” Wolcott tweeted.

From Los Angeles Times

The affair is not — at first — what drives Frances and Robert to splitsville.

From New York Times

Sarah Jessica Parker is headed for splitsville — the fictional kind, that is. 

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breakdown
• disintegration
• dissolution
• divorce
• separation
• split
• termination