alimony
B2formal, legal, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A court-ordered financial allowance that one spouse pays to another after legal separation or divorce, for their support.
Monetary support provided by one former partner to another, typically on a regular basis, as mandated by law.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically and still predominantly associated with payments from a husband to a wife, but modern usage is gender-neutral based on financial need and capacity. It is distinct from child support.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'maintenance' is the preferred legal and common term. 'Alimony' is understood but used less frequently and may be considered slightly old-fashioned or American-influenced.
Connotations
In the US, 'alimony' is the standard legal and general term. In the UK, 'maintenance' is neutral, while 'alimony' may carry connotations of US media.
Frequency
The term is significantly more frequent in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
pay alimony to Xbe awarded alimony by the courtbe ordered to pay alimonyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The alimony cheque is in the post (humorous/sarcastic comment about delayed payment).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; relevant in financial planning for high-net-worth divorces.
Academic
Used in legal, sociological, and gender studies contexts.
Everyday
Common in discussions about divorce, celebrity news, and personal finance.
Technical
A specific term in family law statutes and legal proceedings.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The court will require him to pay maintenance for five years.
- She is currently being maintained by her ex-husband.
American English
- He was ordered to alimonize his ex-wife for a decade.
- She successfully petitioned to be alimonized.
adverb
British English
- He pays the maintenance grudgingly.
- She receives the support payments regularly.
American English
- He pays alimony reluctantly every month.
- The payment was made alimony-style, directly to her account.
adjective
British English
- The maintenance agreement was finally settled.
- They were involved in a lengthy support payment case.
American English
- They were locked in an alimony dispute for months.
- The alimony order was quite substantial.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the divorce, he had to pay alimony.
- The judge ordered him to pay £500 a month in alimony to his ex-wife.
- She receives alimony while she finishes her degree.
- The duration and amount of alimony are determined by factors like the length of the marriage and each spouse's earning potential.
- His request to reduce his alimony payments was denied by the court.
- The new legislation aims to make alimony awards more predictable by introducing formulas based on income differentials and the marital standard of living.
- Prenuptial agreements often include clauses that limit or waive the right to claim alimony in the event of divorce.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Ali' + 'money' – money paid to an 'ally' (your former spouse) as ordered by law.
Conceptual Metaphor
FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS A LEGAL LIFELINE / DIVORCE IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'алименты' (alimenty), which in Russian primarily means child support. 'Alimony' is specifically spousal support.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'alimony' to refer to child support (incorrect).
- Spelling as 'alimoney' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most synonymous with 'alimony' in American legal contexts?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Alimony (or spousal support/maintenance) is paid to support an ex-spouse. Child support is paid for the direct care and upbringing of children from the relationship.
No. While historically more common, modern laws are gender-neutral. The financially dependent spouse, regardless of gender, may be awarded alimony based on need and the other spouse's ability to pay.
It varies by jurisdiction and case. It can be temporary (rehabilitative), for a fixed term, or permanent (often in long marriages). Many factors influence the duration.
Yes. Courts can modify or terminate alimony orders if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as the recipient remarrying, a substantial change in income, or retirement.