monogamic
Americanadjective
Usage
What does monogamic mean? Monogamic is a less common word for monogamous—having only one spouse, one sexual partner, or (in the case of animals) one mate. Monogamic is used to describe people and animals that practice monogamy or to describe their relationships or practices. The word monogamy most technically refers to the state or practice of being married to only one person at a time. It is also commonly used in a more general way to refer to the state of being in a romantic or sexual relationship with only one person at a time. Less commonly, monogamy can mean the practice of being married only once throughout one’s life. In the study of animals, monogamy refers to the practice of having only one mate. A monogamic person can be called a monogamist. The term can also be applied to a person who advocates for monogamy. Example: Monogamy may be traditional in our modern society, but monogamic relationships haven’t always been the norm in every culture.
Etymology
Origin of monogamic
First recorded in 1830–40; monogam(y) + -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The monogamic family became a power and lifted a threatening hand against the gens.
From The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State by Engels, Friedrich
His unlimited rule was emphasized and endowed with continuity by the downfall of matriarchy, the introduction of patriarchy, and the gradual transition from the pairing family to the monogamic family.
From The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State by Engels, Friedrich
A girl reared under the monogamic system may look with abhorrence on ours; our young women do not do so.
From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I by Stanton, Elizabeth Cady
And he was introduced into the first stage of monogamic life, which he developed steadily and rapidly until he was freed.
From The Brothers' War by Reed, John Calvin
Rightly used, however, monogamic fellowship protects by making adventure in life more zestful because it is shared.
From The Good Housekeeping Marriage Book by Bigelow, William F. (William Frederick)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
