bigamy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, legal, academic
Quick answer
What does “bigamy” mean?
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
The state of having two spouses simultaneously; a criminal offence in most jurisdictions. Can be used metaphorically to describe a dual, often conflicting, commitment to two things.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Legal definitions and penalties vary by jurisdiction, but the core meaning is identical.
Connotations
Strongly negative, associated with fraud, crime, and betrayal.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday conversation; primarily found in legal, news, or academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bigamy” in a Sentence
[Subject] commits bigamy.Bigamy is illegal in [Country].He was prosecuted for bigamy.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bigamy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He bigamised without realising his first divorce was not final.
American English
- He bigamized without realizing his first divorce was not final.
adverb
British English
- He married her bigamously.
American English
- He married her bigamously.
adjective
British English
- He entered into a bigamous marriage.
American English
- He entered into a bigamous marriage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of employee fraud or background checks.
Academic
Common in sociology, law, and anthropology texts discussing marriage structures.
Everyday
Used when discussing crime news or sensational stories.
Technical
Precise legal term in family law and criminal law.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bigamy”
- Using 'bigamy' to refer to consensual polyamorous relationships (it is specifically illegal).
- Confusing 'bigamy' (two spouses) with 'polygamy' (multiple spouses of any gender).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Bigamy specifically means being married to two people simultaneously, often secretly or illegally. Polygamy is a broader term for having multiple spouses and can be culturally or religiously sanctioned.
It is a criminal offence in most, but not all, countries. Laws and penalties vary significantly.
Legally, ignorance (e.g., believing a divorce was final) is often not a full defence, but it can influence sentencing.
A bigamist.
The act of marrying one person while still legally married to another.
Bigamy is usually formal, legal, academic in register.
Bigamy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɪɡ.ə.mi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(Metaphorical) A bigamy of interests – being equally devoted to two conflicting pursuits.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BI- (two) + -GAMY (marriage) = two marriages.
Conceptual Metaphor
Bigamy is a crime / Bigamy is a betrayal of contract.
Practice
Quiz
What is the key factor that defines an act as bigamy?