serial monogamy

American  

noun

1. a form of monogamy characterized by several successive, short-term marriages over the course of a lifetime.

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serial monogamy British  

noun

1. the practice of having a number of long-term romantic or sexual partners in succession

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Etymology

Origin of serial monogamy

First recorded in 1970–75

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

serial monogamy

She’s enacting the No. 1 piece of advice I give all my straight, single female pals suffering from go-nowhere serial monogamy: Date a minimum of three men.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

"Humans have a range of partnerships that create conditions for a mix of full and half-siblings with strong parental investment, from serial monogamy to stable polygamy."

From Science Daily ● Jan. 22, 2026

That first relationship established a pattern of serial monogamy, where if someone touched my shoulder I’d fall in love with them for three years until they dumped me.

From The Guardian ● May 19, 2019

Polyamory is complex enough and time-consuming enough that it will likely never overshadow serial monogamy, Sheff said.

From Scientific American ● Feb. 14, 2013

His jokes about his serial monogamy endeared him to viewers, but you don't rack up three divorces by being a harmless sweetie.

From Time Magazine Archive

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