alimony

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alimony" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to financial support that one spouse is required to pay to another after a divorce or separation. Example: "After their divorce, she was awarded alimony to help support her living expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Maybe a boss with alimony to pay must work harder).

The Economist

He stuck a kitchen knife (or a pair of scissors, or a "three-inch dirty penknife") into the neck of his second wife, the second of six, all of whom loved and forgave him as long as their alimony was paid.

The Economist

Should a child result, the law compels child support (at least in the West) regardless of marriage status; a wife merely adds to the potential cost of alimony.

The Economist

"Sell the Bentley pay the alimony", election posters urged the region's governor, who has had a nasty divorce and is aligned with United Russia, a rival party that dominates both the Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, and most of the regions.

The Economist

After tax, it will trouser $4.2 billion; call it Alimony.

The Economist

Twenty years on, this share has almost certainly shrunk further, to perhaps as little as 2%.Bangladesh's legal system is secular on paper, but the areas of marriage, divorce, alimony and property inheritance are based on what is called personal law, which varies according to an individual's or family's religion.

The Economist

For each household they totted up income from salaries, public handouts and private transfers such as alimony payments.

The Economist

In Soviet times, a divorced woman could count on her ex-husband's employer to make sure she received alimony.

The Economist

Overstretched courts and an incompetent bailiff service make it almost hopeless to fight for alimony through the courts.

The Economist

Now the inquiry has spread much wider, and reaches far beyond alimony payments and who did (or didn't) get the brownstone in Park Slope.One in ten of all Brooklyn's judges most of them apparently picked for their jobs by Mr Norman are said to be under some sort of investigation.

The Economist

A hint of how they might do it: follow the alimony.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters involving divorce, be specific about the type of financial support being discussed. Use "alimony" when referring specifically to spousal support, differentiating it from child support or property division.

Common error

Avoid using "alimony" interchangeably with "child support" or "property settlement". "Alimony" specifically refers to payments made to a former spouse for their support, whereas child support is for the children, and property settlement involves dividing assets.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alimony" is as a noun, referring to the court-ordered financial support provided to a former spouse after a divorce. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alimony" functions as a noun denoting court-ordered financial support to a former spouse after divorce or separation. Ludwig confirms the term's correctness and usability in formal and informal writing. While frequently appearing in News & Media and Encyclopedias, it is important to differentiate it from other forms of support like child support. When writing, be precise in your terminology to avoid confusion. Semantically related terms include "spousal support" and "maintenance payments". Understanding the proper context and avoiding common errors will ensure clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Spousal support

A more modern and neutral term for financial support paid to a former spouse.

Maintenance payments

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the financial support.

Continuing maintenance

Focuses on the continuous payment of alimony.

Post-divorce financial support

Emphasizes the timing of the support, occurring after the divorce.

Divorce settlement payments

Broader, includes all financial aspects of a divorce agreement, not just ongoing support.

Spousal allowance

Similar to spousal support, but sometimes implies a fixed amount.

Separate maintenance

Financial support provided while spouses are separated but not yet divorced.

Financial provision for ex-spouse

A more general term for the financial arrangements made for a former spouse.

Court-ordered support

Highlights the legal mandate behind the financial obligation.

Financial obligations to former spouse

Focuses on the duty to provide financial support.

FAQs

What is the definition of "alimony"?

"Alimony" is a court-ordered payment one spouse makes to the other after a divorce or separation to provide financial support.

What are some alternatives to the word "alimony"?

You can use terms such as "spousal support" or "maintenance payments" as alternatives to "alimony".

How is "alimony" different from child support?

"Alimony" is financial support paid to a former spouse, while child support is financial support specifically for the needs of a child following a divorce or separation.

Is "alimony" always awarded in divorce cases?

"Alimony" is not automatically awarded in every divorce. It depends on various factors like the length of the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the reasons for the divorce. Courts consider these factors to determine if "spousal support" is appropriate.