polyamorous
Polyamorous (adjective) means having or open to having more than one romantic or sexual relationship at the same time, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Example: “They have been in a polyamorous relationship for six years.”
How to Use Polyamorous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing in more than one loving relationship at once, with everyone knowing and agreeing.
Neutral and standard. Often shortened to "poly" in speech and dating profiles.
Consent is the defining feature. Multiple relationships without everyone's knowledge is not polyamory, it is cheating.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
They have been in a _____ relationship for six years.
Etymology
A modern hybrid compound of Greek poly-, "many", and Latin amor, "love".
Synonyms
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Related Words
Rhymes for polyamorous
See all rhymes for polyamorous →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between polyamorous and polygamous?
Polyamory is about having multiple loving relationships, married or not, with everyone's consent. Polygamy specifically means being married to more than one spouse, and is often tied to religious or cultural tradition. You can be polyamorous without any marriage at all.
What is the difference between polyamory and an open relationship?
An open relationship usually means one committed couple who agree to sex with other people, while the emotional partnership stays exclusive. Polyamory allows multiple romantic attachments, not just sexual ones. Both fall under consensual non-monogamy.
Is polyamory the same as cheating?
No. The whole basis of polyamory is that every partner knows about the others and agrees to the arrangement. Cheating involves deception and broken agreements, which can happen inside a polyamorous relationship just as easily as a monogamous one.