Bigamy

/ˈbɪɡəmi/

noun

The act of being married to two people at the same time.

He was charged with bigamy after his first wife discovered that he was still married to her when he married his second wife.

Formal

Academic

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

Bigamy is illegal in many countries and can lead to criminal charges.

He didn't realize that bigamy was a criminal offense until the police arrived.

Pro Tip 2/3

Culturally, bigamy might be more accepted in some societies, but it remains illegal in most Western countries.

Even though bigamy is culturally accepted there, he was still arrested in his home country.

Pro Tip 3/3

Someone can unknowingly commit bigamy if they think their previous marriage is legally over.

Anna's second marriage resulted in accidental bigamy because her divorce wasn't finalized.

polyandrypolygamy

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