polyamory

[ pol-ee-am-er-ee ]

noun

1. the practice or condition of participating simultaneously in more than one serious romantic or sexual relationship with the knowledge and consent of all partners.

Other Words From

• pol·y·am·o·rist noun
• pol·y·am·o·rous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyamory¹

First recorded in 1990–95; poly- ( def ) + Latin amor “love” ( amorous ( def ) ) + -y ³( def ); patterned after polygamy ( def )

Example Sentences

This group is designed to be a forum for people at all different stages to discuss polyamory and other consensual non-monogamous relationships.

From Washington Blade

Newcomers will be given a basic introduction into what polyamory is.

From Washington Blade

Newcomers will be given a basic introduction into what polyamory is and what some of the advantages and disadvantages are.

From Washington Blade

Sure, polyamory works well for a few hyper-educated urban elites.

From The Daily Beast

Polyamory and open relationships have been gaining prominence with the public.

From The Daily Beast

But even as our culture has become more open toward polyamory and BDSM, the combination of sex and aging are still seen as taboo.

From The Daily Beast

As one sociologist told me recently, speaking at a conference on polyamory: "The system simply isn't working."

From The Daily Beast

But Veronica and Tiger were not poster kids for polyamory—their alleged affair relied on good old-fashioned lying.

From The Daily Beast