polygamous

[ puh-lig-uh-muhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of, pertaining to, characterized by, or practicing polygamy; polygamic.
Botany. bearing both unisexual and hermaphrodite flowers on the same or on different plants of the same species.

From the Greek word polýgamos, dating back to 1605–15. See poly-, -gamous

How does polygamous compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

If you have someone who has lived a polygamous life, that would raise questions about their character and ability to obey the law.

Some of those polygamous seamstresses may have grown up with Heber Holm.

Such a lot of fuss is made in the world by ignoring the great fact that man is by nature both gregarious and polygamous.

It only shows how fascinating you are with the polygamous sex.

Each herd was ruled by a polygamous monarch of the plains—a great chieftain elk!

They are polygamous, associating in herds of a considerable size under the guidance of a single leader.

They do not pair, but mate in small polygamous families—one male with from two to four females.

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