bigamy
Bigamy (noun) means the crime or state of being married to two people at the same time. Example: “He was arrested for bigamy after marrying a second wife without divorcing his first.”
How to use bigamy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing illegally married to two people at once.
Bigamy specifically means two spouses and is illegal in most countries; polygamy is the broader term for multiple spouses, legal in some cultures.
Word forms
bigamies plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was arrested for _____ after marrying a second wife without divorcing his first.
Etymology
From Late Latin bigamia, formed from Latin bis ("twice") plus Greek gamos ("marriage") — literally "double marriage." The word entered English through Anglo-Norman and Middle French.
Rhymes for bigamy
See all rhymes for bigamy →Frequently asked questions
What does “bigamy” mean?
The word “bigamy” means the crime or state of being married to two people at the same time. In plain terms, being illegally married to two people at once.
How do you pronounce “bigamy”?
“Bigamy” is pronounced BIH-guh-mee (/ˈbɪɡəmi/ in IPA).
How do you use “bigamy” in a sentence?
Here is “bigamy” used in a sentence: “He was arrested for bigamy after marrying a second wife without divorcing his first.”
What part of speech is “bigamy”?
“Bigamy” is a noun.
Where does the word “bigamy” come from?
The word “bigamy” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin bigamia, formed from Latin bis ("twice") plus Greek gamos ("marriage") — literally "double marriage." The word entered English through Anglo-Norman and Middle French.