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Definition of palimony

palimony

/ˈpæl.əˌmoʊ.ni/
pal · i · mo · ny
Plural:palimonies
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palimony Lexical Profile

palimony Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Financial compensation or support paid by one member of an unmarried cohabiting couple to the other after they separate.

Example

"After ending their twelve-year relationship, she filed a lawsuit seeking palimony and an equitable share of their jointly acquired property."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for palimony

Word Nuance & Usage

While widely used in the media and everyday speech, "palimony" is not an official statutory term in most jurisdictions; courts typically evaluate such claims under general contract law rather than family law.

• Rhymes for palimony

• Nearby Words

palestinian
palestinian viper
palette
palimony
palimpsestic
palindrome
paling

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 1970s as a portmanteau of "pal" and "alimony," the term was popularized by divorce attorney Marvin Mitchelson during the landmark 1976 California lawsuit brought by Michelle Triola Marvin against actor Lee Marvin.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Palimony. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/palimony
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