bigamy

noun

big·​a·​my ˈbi-gə-mē 

law : the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another

was accused of bigamy

bigamist

ˈbi-gə-mist 

noun

Examples of bigamy in a Sentence

He was accused of bigamy.

Recent Examples on the Web

North Carolina classifies bigamy as a Class I felony, and the charge can result in imprisonment for anyone who knowingly marries while still legally married to another person. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Three wives in three counties may just be the start for a man facing felony bigamy charges in North Carolina, investigators say. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025

Betsey, 50, pleaded guilty to the felony bigamy charge in May, according to ABC Action News. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025

But in her pursuit of everything, Alicia risks losing it all – because while female bigamy may not be a crime, the fallout can be life-altering. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bigamie, from Medieval Latin bigamia, from Latin bi- + Late Latin -gamia -gamy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bigamy

• polygamy

Kids Definition

bigamy

noun

big·​a·​my ˈbig-ə-mē 

: the act of marrying one person while still legally married to another

bigamist

-məst 

noun

bigamous

-məs

adjective

bigamously adverb

Etymology

Middle English bigamie "bigamy," derived from Latin bi- "two" and Greek gamia "marriage"

Legal Definition

bigamy

noun

big·​a·​my ˈbi-gə-mē 

: the crime of marrying someone while still legally married to someone else compare polygamy

bigamist

-mist 

noun

Etymology

Medieval Latin bigamia, ultimately from Latin bi- two + Greek gamos marriage